via Joystiq


The second quarter has come and gone, and while our XBLA download queues have be left decidedly Peggle-free, PopCap's Greg Canessa remains adamant that the addictive puzzler is still on its way. In a recent interview, the PopCap exec blamed the game's tardiness on the addition of further polish and improvements, including 4-player local and online multiplayer over Xbox Live. Goodbye, free time!


Canessa also let slip Peggle's XBLA pricing of 800 Microsoft Points ($10), and while a firm release date for the title still remains up in the air, puzzle addicts can rest a little easier knowing that their addiction-of-choice is still expected to drop like so many colored pegs sometime before the year is out. ...

via Games Industry


Spore has maintained its position and gained in the German and Spanish software sales charts respectively for the week ended September 14, as Mercenaries 2: World in Flames fails to gain traction, according to data provided by Media-Control GfK International.

The German chart was topped by EA's sim-everything title, Spore, followed by Wii Fit in second place and Mario Kart Wii in third. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky for the PC debuted on the chart in fourth place, preceding The Sims 2: Apartment Life also for the PC at number five.

In sixth place came Dr Kawashima's Brain Training for the Nintendo DS, in seventh place came The Settlers - Rise of an Empire for the PC and in eighth place came the PlayStation 2 title Naruto Ultimate Ninja 3.

Closing off the German software chart was Dr Kawashimas More Brain Training for the DS at nine and Wii Play at ten.

The Spanish Software sales chart saw Wii Fit come in at number one, Wii Play at number two and The Sims 2: Apartment Life for the PC at number three. Mario Kart Wii came in fourth place, while Spore secured fifth place, up one position from last week.

Cooking Guide: Can't Decide What to Eat? for the Nintendo DS came in at number six, as Mercenaries 2: World in Flames for the PlayStation 3 debuted in the top ten at number seven.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Nintendo Wii, Grand Theft Auto IV for the PS3 and the DS title Dr Kawashimas Brain Training took eighth, ninth and tenth place respectively.


The German software sales chart follows:
1. Spore (PC)
2. Wii Fit (Wii)
3. Mario Kart Wii (Wii)
4. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky (PC)
5. The Sims 2: Apartment Life (PC)
6. Dr Kawashimas Brain Training (DS)
7. The Settlers - Rise of an Empire (PC)
8. Naruto Ultimate Ninja 3 (PS2)
9. Dr Kawashimas More Brain Training (DS)
10. Wii Play (Wii)

The Spanish software sales chart follows:
1. Wii Fit (Wii)
2. Wii Play (Wii)
3. The Sims 2: Apartment Life (PC)
4. Mario Kart Wii (Wii)
5. Spore (PC)
6. Cooking Guide: Can't Decide What to Eat? (DS)
7. Mercenaries 2: World in Flames (PS3)
8. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
9. Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3)
10. Dr Kawashimas Brain Training (DS) ...

via Computer and Video Games


A list of Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts' achievements has leaked onto the internet, revealing all sorts of spoilerific nuggets if info.

First up is word that the game appears to have 131 Jiggies and at least five 'worlds' to be explored.

There's also a gym in the hub world, Showdown Town, where you can "train" Banjo, so those hoping for a more traditional platforming experience might not be jipped yet.

The Achievements list also gives further explanation on how the revamped Stop 'n' Swop feature, which was originally planned for the N64 games, transfers data between Banjo XBLA and Nuts & Bolts.

By playing Banjo XBLA it looks like you unlock a "Stop 'n' Swop crate" that needs to be taken to Mumbos Motors, no doubt unlocking special vehicle parts.

We also like Rare's participation in the never-ending Sony dig with a "Massive Damage" achievement.

Read the full list of Achievements over on Xbox360Achievements.org. ...

via IGN


TOMY Corporation and D3Publisher, publishers of interactive entertainment software, have announced that Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 for the Nintendo DS has gone gold and will be shipping to stores on October 14th. The sequel to the only Naruto role-playing game available in North America, Path of the Ninja 2 gives players a chance to defend the Hidden Leaf Village as 30 of the most powerful ninja in the Naruto universe through a completely original storyline.

"There has been a huge progression between the original RPG title on the DS and Path of the Ninja 2," said Laura Yoshioka, director of consumer software at TOMY Corporation. "Between the expanded character list, the Wi-Fi battle system, and the new squad-building options, this is an adventure that should appeal to the inner ninja of players everywhere."

With 30 characters to choose from, including favorites like Naruto, Sasuke, and Rock Lee, plus an all-new Squad Leader and Ninja Tag systems, there have never been more ways to create the perfect ninja squad. The improved and intuitive battle system will make it easy for even the newest fighters to get into the combat, using the Touch Screen to unleash devastating melee and jutsu attacks, while the Wi-Fi multiplayer feature will offer aspiring ninja the chance to take on challengers from around the world. Based on VIZ Media's hit animated series, Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 is scheduled to ship to retail stores on October 14th, and is rated "E10+" (everyone 10 and older). ...

via IGN


In the small town of Inaba, nestled in the Japanese countryside, a young man settles in with his uncle and cousin. Sudden circumstances have forced the arrangement, but it is for the most part an agreeable place to live, if a little boring. Everything changes when a shocking and mysterious killing leaves a town aghast and searching for answers. As all signs point to involvement of a twisted serial murderer, a young hero and his friends will discover hidden powers and use them to save innocents from certain death. Together, they must find the trail of the unknown attacker... before they strike again!

Intimate yet profound, Persona 4's story is driven by exceptionally well-written and voiced characters, each troubled by the events unfolding for their own reasons, each destined to discover something new about themselves over the course of their epic journey. Read below to check out some of the major protagonists in Persona 4:

PROTAGONIST
The main character of Persona 4. He recently moved to the countryside to live with his uncle and cousin. After awakening to his potential as a Persona user, he opens the door to a mysterious world.

CHIE SATONAKA
A classmate of the Protagonist's who was born and raised in Inaba. She is a cheerful, energetic girl, but what dark burden does she bear within herself? And what could her talents as a Persona-user be?

YOSUKE HANAMURA
The Protagonist's classmate at Yasogami High School. He has an amicable personality and is adept at reading social situations. He, too, awakens as a Persona user, but what triggers his awakening?

YUKIKO AMAGA
Yukiko's days are occupied with helping her family run the historic Amagi Inn. She joins the group of Persona users, but how is she involved in the murder case?

TEDDIE
A mysterious creature that the Protagonist and his friends encounter inside the TV. It seems to have some power in the other world, but is it friend or foe?

As part of the special holiday "Atlus Spoils" program, Persona 4 is brimming with premium extras. Not only will each and every copy include a free soundtrack CD featuring music from the game, but fans who pre-order at select retailers will also receive "Persona 4 Visual Data," a 7''x10'' full-color art book featuring designs from famed artist Shigenori Soejima (while supplies last). ...

via IGN


In the small town of Inaba, nestled in the Japanese countryside, a young man settles in with his uncle and cousin. Sudden circumstances have forced the arrangement, but it is for the most part an agreeable place to live, if a little boring. Everything changes when a shocking and mysterious killing leaves a town aghast and searching for answers. As all signs point to involvement of a twisted serial murderer, a young hero and his friends will discover hidden powers and use them to save innocents from certain death. Together, they must find the trail of the unknown attacker... before they strike again!

Intimate yet profound, Persona 4's story is driven by exceptionally well-written and voiced characters, each troubled by the events unfolding for their own reasons, each destined to discover something new about themselves over the course of their epic journey. Read below to check out some of the major protagonists in Persona 4:

PROTAGONIST
The main character of Persona 4. He recently moved to the countryside to live with his uncle and cousin. After awakening to his potential as a Persona user, he opens the door to a mysterious world.

CHIE SATONAKA
A classmate of the Protagonist's who was born and raised in Inaba. She is a cheerful, energetic girl, but what dark burden does she bear within herself? And what could her talents as a Persona-user be?

YOSUKE HANAMURA
The Protagonist's classmate at Yasogami High School. He has an amicable personality and is adept at reading social situations. He, too, awakens as a Persona user, but what triggers his awakening?

YUKIKO AMAGA
Yukiko's days are occupied with helping her family run the historic Amagi Inn. She joins the group of Persona users, but how is she involved in the murder case?

TEDDIE
A mysterious creature that the Protagonist and his friends encounter inside the TV. It seems to have some power in the other world, but is it friend or foe?

As part of the special holiday "Atlus Spoils" program, Persona 4 is brimming with premium extras. Not only will each and every copy include a free soundtrack CD featuring music from the game, but fans who pre-order at select retailers will also receive "Persona 4 Visual Data," a 7''x10'' full-color art book featuring designs from famed artist Shigenori Soejima (while supplies last). ...

via Gamedaily


With sales of GTA IV slowing down lately, the EA bid for Take-Two officially over, the threat of Rockstar's Sam and Dan Houser potentially signing with another publisher, and Rockstar's own reluctance to bring GTA to Wii, the future of the GTA franchise has certainly been kept fresh in everyone's minds.

And while Wii isn't really being considered at Rockstar at the moment, another very popular platform could be: Apple's iPhone. With GTA: Chinatown Wars coming to the DS and making use of the touch screen later this year, it wouldn't be too difficult for Rockstar to bring the game to Apple's increasingly important (for gaming and other apps) iPhone, notes Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey.


Hickey also commented on the Housers' situation. Unlike Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter, Hickey does not envision Sam and Dan Houser abandoning Take-Two. "We find it unlikely that the Houser brothers would leave Take-Two Interactive for a competitor, as loyalty, compensation, culture and compelling IP should be sufficient in aggregate to leave employment alternatives unappealing," he said. ...

via MCV


Mega-publisher Activision Blizzard has revealed that Crash: Mind Over Mutant will hit retail on October 31st, and The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon will arrive on November 21st.

Both titles had disappeared off release schedules following the merger between Vivendi and Activision, but it has now been confirmed that both titles will be out before Christmas.

The publisher has also listed Crash and Spyro as coming out under the Sierra label.

Crash: Mind Over Mutant will be released on DS, PS2, PSP, Wii and Xbox 360, whist The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon will appear on DS, PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360. ...

via Engadget


Hey, that's pretty awesome that Amazon's thrown together an MP3 store app for the G1, isn't it? What would be even cooler still, though, is if you could actually listen to those tracks without a crazy dongle hanging off your phone. Like many recent HTCs (Touch HD notably excepted), the G1 eschews a standard 3.5mm headphone jack for its proprietary ExtUSB connector, meaning you'll need custom headphones or an adapter to plug in your own. What's worse, the adapter won't be available immediately at launch, just a bundled headset. Why, HTC? Why? ...