Source - Joystiq

At the time of writing, Metroid Prime: Hunters for the Nintendo DS has a compiled ratio of 90% in terms of game quality with several other reviews outstanding. Here's the first claims regarding the multi-player shooter in question:

IGN 90% - "The NST team really went all out for this online experience - not only is the game tracking an enormous amount of statistics, but it's also the first DS game to support voice chatting via the system's microphone... Metroid Prime Hunters is easily the best handheld first person shooter developed to date, even with its somewhat high learning curve and cramp-inducing control."
GamePro 90% - "Approximately as big as Metroid Prime on the GameCube, it's hard to imagine how Nintendo squeezed Hunters into a tiny DS cartridge. Metroid Prime: Hunters is a very polished game, suffering more from small quirks than actual flaws."
Not the most varying scores, so be sure to check out the average score as the week goes on if you're still skeptical about this title. Not that you should be. ...

Tales of the Tempest is the latest in Namco's long-runnning 'Tales' RPG series, which is due out for DS in Japan next month. Avid importer or not, be sure to check out our +12 new screens of attractiveness.

http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/ds/game...sectionId=1006

Tempest certainly looks pretty, which is to be expected - all recent Tales games on a variety of formats have packed in some truly colourful environments - and will feature a real-time combat system centred on the use of the stylus.

Still, while it's technically a new Tales, it's very much an old tale, revolving around monsters attacking a quaint little village and a teenage boy who sets off on a voyage of discovery and spiky haircuts. So, expect lovely character designs, but not lovely characters. ...

Tales of the Tempest is the latest in Namco's long-runnning 'Tales' RPG series, which is due out for DS in Japan next month. Avid importer or not, be sure to check out our +12 new screens of attractiveness.

http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/ds/game...sectionId=1006

Tempest certainly looks pretty, which is to be expected - all recent Tales games on a variety of formats have packed in some truly colourful environments - and will feature a real-time combat system centred on the use of the stylus.

Still, while it's technically a new Tales, it's very much an old tale, revolving around monsters attacking a quaint little village and a teenage boy who sets off on a voyage of discovery and spiky haircuts. So, expect lovely character designs, but not lovely characters. ...

Publisher Eidos has announced today that its upcoming government-toppling action title, Just Cause, will also make an appearance on Xbox 360 this autumn, in addition to the previously confirmed releases for PC, Xbox and PS2.

Developed by Avalanche Studios, Just Cause offers a volatile mix of political turmoil, weapons of mass destruction, rebel factions and drug cartels all bubbling away nicely under the relentless sun of tropical South American island, San Esperito.

You slip into the cunning shoes of undercover CIA operative, Rico Rodriguez, as he's air-dropped to the beautiful - but not particularly tourist friendly - Esperito in an assignment to overthrow the dodgy-as-you-like government as it becomes an increasing threat to world peace.

Over 300 missions will feature and a variety of land, sea and air vehicles will be at your disposal for getting around the island - which consists of mountain, beach, jungle, city and village areas - efficiently.

Rodriguez will apparently be able to use any scheming methods he chooses to destabilise and ultimately rid Esperito of its crooked leaders, whether it's aiding rebel forces, sparking an uprising amongst the population or by fanning the flames of friction between the island's various rival factions. In other words, making muchos trouble.

http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/xbox360...sectionId=1006 ...

Source - Gamespot

Sony announces booths at event will showcase "latest hardware and development tools for the next-generation console" and demos for portable; no games mentioned.
In February, Sony Computer Entertainment announced that Phil Harrison, chief of its Worldwide Studios, would deliver a keynote address at the 2006 Game Developers Conference. While the title of that speech, "PlayStation 3: Beyond the Box," promised a look at the company's next-generation console, it was unclear if any actual hardware would be on display. Those doubts were exacerbated last week, when Sony announced that the PS3 would go on sale worldwide in November 2006 instead of its previous "spring" launch window.

On the eve of Harrison's address, however, Sony has announced that there will definitively be some form of PS3 hardware on display at the event. In a carefully worded statement, the company proclaimed that, as part of its "widespread presence" at GDC 2006, it would have booths showcasing its next-gen console. Sony promised "PlayStation 3 kiosks, showcasing the latest hardware and development tools for the next-generation console, including Unreal Engine, COLLADA, PlayStation Graphics Library (PSGL) and performance analysis tools" would be on-hand at its booth.

Sony promised to hold "demonstrations of games that highlight the new and unique features of the PlayStation platform" at its booth. It did not identify any PS3 titles as being present, however, preferring to issue comments of a broader nature. "The Game Developers Conference gives us an opportunity to collaborate with the development community and demonstrate new technology, business models, and our vision that will help fuel the growth of the computer entertainment industry," said Harrison in a statement. As of press time, Sony had not responded to requests to clarify whether PS3 games would be on display at GDC.

Sony did say several PlayStation Portable games would be on playable display, including Loco Roco, Me and My Katamari, and Field Commander. Indeed, the company promised a whole range of PSP functionality would be shown off at its booth, including the PSP Spot game-download service, as well as peripherals such as the PSP headset. ...

Launching across Europe on 21st April, Tetris is ready to re-capture the hearts of millions once again. Combining the world famous falling block puzzle with new and exciting modes, Tetris now includes the ability to play anyone around the world via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.

Back in 1989 the world became obsessed with Tetris when it took the Game Boy by storm. Adored by all, young or old, players were hooked as soon as they picked it up. Now it's time for a whole new generation to experience the craze that introduced puzzle games to the mainstream. Tetris DS combines the much loved original game with all new modes of game play, including the Touch Mode, which takes Tetris to a completely new level of gaming allowing for the first time ever to move blocks around the screen using the Nintendo DS stylus and touch screen.

Via the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection service, you can really take on the rest of the world! Players can connect with up to three players from around the world and battle it out to be the ultimate Tetris champion. What's more, up to ten Nintendo DS owners can battle it out together, even if only one player has a game card! An innovative point-based rating system based on players' battle results, also lets users check the skill of their opponents before taking them on! Players can select to take on all challengers in intense two or four player versions of the Standard Mode, as well as playing the unique two player versus mode provided by Push Mode.

Players can hone their construction skills through any one of six different modes contained in Tetris DS, each featuring a theme based on classic Nintendo games such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Metroid. As well as Nintendo theme based modes, the modes also contain remixed classic Nintendo music, guaranteed to bring sweet music to any player's ears. Traditional falling blocks and line clearing strategy remain essential, however the Nintendo DS's touch screen opens up a whole new level of interactivity for the player as the screen is used to twist and turn the blocks.

The game's Standard Mode is a faithful recreation of the much-loved Tetris. However, as the player completes lines, the computer plays through the original Super Mario Bros on the top screen. Push Mode adds a Donkey Kong themed tug-of war spin to Tetris, where players race to 'push' their opponents off the screen by completing lines. Touch Mode makes use of the Nintendo DS touch-screen, with a distinct Balloon Trip feel as players drag towers of blocks around to make lines. Yoshi themed Puzzle Mode challenges players to clear 200 pre-programmed puzzles with a selection of blocks. There is only one correct combination so the challenge is definitely a head-scratcher! Mission Mode gives players a series of Zelda themed tasks to complete and Catch Mode is a wacky space based game with a Metroid theme. Players must control a flying block and catch other blocks to make 4x4 grids.

So prepare to be hooked on one of the world's most addictive puzzle games ever! Tetris DS is unleashed across Europe on the Nintendo DS from 21st April 2006 for the estimated retail price of around £30.

Click onto www.nintendo-europe-media.com for all of the most up to date official information on Nintendo. ...

Launching across Europe on 21st April, Tetris is ready to re-capture the hearts of millions once again. Combining the world famous falling block puzzle with new and exciting modes, Tetris now includes the ability to play anyone around the world via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.

Back in 1989 the world became obsessed with Tetris when it took the Game Boy by storm. Adored by all, young or old, players were hooked as soon as they picked it up. Now it's time for a whole new generation to experience the craze that introduced puzzle games to the mainstream. Tetris DS combines the much loved original game with all new modes of game play, including the Touch Mode, which takes Tetris to a completely new level of gaming allowing for the first time ever to move blocks around the screen using the Nintendo DS stylus and touch screen.

Via the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection service, you can really take on the rest of the world! Players can connect with up to three players from around the world and battle it out to be the ultimate Tetris champion. What's more, up to ten Nintendo DS owners can battle it out together, even if only one player has a game card! An innovative point-based rating system based on players' battle results, also lets users check the skill of their opponents before taking them on! Players can select to take on all challengers in intense two or four player versions of the Standard Mode, as well as playing the unique two player versus mode provided by Push Mode.

Players can hone their construction skills through any one of six different modes contained in Tetris DS, each featuring a theme based on classic Nintendo games such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Metroid. As well as Nintendo theme based modes, the modes also contain remixed classic Nintendo music, guaranteed to bring sweet music to any player's ears. Traditional falling blocks and line clearing strategy remain essential, however the Nintendo DS's touch screen opens up a whole new level of interactivity for the player as the screen is used to twist and turn the blocks.

The game's Standard Mode is a faithful recreation of the much-loved Tetris. However, as the player completes lines, the computer plays through the original Super Mario Bros on the top screen. Push Mode adds a Donkey Kong themed tug-of war spin to Tetris, where players race to 'push' their opponents off the screen by completing lines. Touch Mode makes use of the Nintendo DS touch-screen, with a distinct Balloon Trip feel as players drag towers of blocks around to make lines. Yoshi themed Puzzle Mode challenges players to clear 200 pre-programmed puzzles with a selection of blocks. There is only one correct combination so the challenge is definitely a head-scratcher! Mission Mode gives players a series of Zelda themed tasks to complete and Catch Mode is a wacky space based game with a Metroid theme. Players must control a flying block and catch other blocks to make 4x4 grids.

So prepare to be hooked on one of the world's most addictive puzzle games ever! Tetris DS is unleashed across Europe on the Nintendo DS from 21st April 2006 for the estimated retail price of around £30.

Click onto www.nintendo-europe-media.com for all of the most up to date official information on Nintendo. ...

Speaking at GDC, David Collier, CEO of Tokyo-based mobile content provider Pikkie, has argued that developers must remember the mobile phone is first and foremost a communications device.

According to Collier, developers must make use of that functionality in order to secure and maintain interest from mobile carriers, something which he sees as key since "We live in a carrier's world."

Together with Matthew Bellows of Floodgate Entertainment, Collier took the stage at GDC to deliver a presentation on the need for mobile game developers to be more creative.

To demonstrate what can be achieved with innovation in gameplay and a closer working relationship with carriers, the pair showcased Korea-based developer Gamevil's Path of a Warrior. It's the only mobile game to have secured a unique fixed fee with Korean mobile carriers, at USD 10 per month for unlimited play. "I'm sure the American operators are dying to emulate that and help us all make a great business," Collier joked.

Bellows and Collier also heralded EA's Need for Speed as a major step forward for big publishers, in that it takes full advantage of the mobile platform by offering connected multiplayer gaming and downloads - as opposed to a relatively basic single player port of a hit console game.

Taito's Puzzle Bobble was highlighted to demonstrate the idea of real-time connected gaming, and Floodgate's Pet Shop - which enables gamers to enter virtual 'best of show' events with other players in their real-world local or national area - was shown as an example of location based services.

"The mobile phone isn't just a small Game Boy," stated Collier. "It's about connectivity." ...

Nintendo has announced the roll out of more than 600 BT Openzone hotspots in retail stores across the UK and Ireland, giving DS owners free access to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.

More than 500 of the Wi-Fi enabled stores, which include branches of GAME, Gamestation, HMV and Toys R Us, will also feature Download Stations, where Nintendo DS owners can try out playable game demos.

At roll out, single level demos will be available for Polarium and Meteos, and gamers will also be able to download Shigeru Miyamoto's nintendog. April and May will see the arrival of demos for games such as Pokémon Link, Trauma Centre: Under the Knife and Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain?, plus additional content for Animal Crossing: Wild World and a Metroid Prime: Hunters trailer.

To access the online service via the retail hotspots, DS owners must visit a store with a Wi-Fi enabled game inserted into their unit and select the Wi-Fi Connection option. To download game demos, they must choose 'DS Download Play' on the system menu; demos will remain playable for as long as the DS is switched on.

The roll out begins today, and Nintendo predicts that Wi-Fi hotspots in a total of 607 stores will be up and running by the summer. There are already 7500 Nintendo Wi-Fi hotspots across the UK as a result of Nintendo's partnerships with providers such as BT Openzone.

"Nintendo has revolutionised Wi-Fi video gaming, removing all of the negative aspects whilst retaining the fun and diversity it offers and now anyone can join in with the one million other people across the globe currently enjoying our service," said Nintendo UK's general manager, David Yarnton.

"The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service truly offers the mass market a great opportunity to fully embrace Wi-Fi."

Chris Bruce of BT Wireless Broadband added: "The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service is already proving extremely popular with users across the world. From our point-of-view, it's a strong proof-point that Wi-Fi is becoming mainstream."

"We'll really see Wi-Fi coming of age this year and this agreement is taking BT Openzone even further into the high street and retail parks by giving gamers access to Wi-Fi in an easy and accessible format at the point-of-purchase." ...