via Computer and Video Games


Ubisoft has told CVG that it will ship Soul Calibur IV simultaneously for PS3 and 360 on July 31 in all PAL regions. Now take a look at 58 awesome images.

Permission to drool all over the carpet, keyboard, or person next to you on the train if you're a flash git with an iPhone (although they're coming down in price soon - HA!).

In case you've forgot the game's got legendary Star Wars icons Darth Vader and Yoda in it, which already makes it a winner in our book. The full, official list from Ubisoft, reads as:

Ever Expanding Line-up:

• Hilde - A striking armor-clad fighter who wields a short sword and spear making her adept at both long range strikes and short range combos
• Scheherazade and Angol Fear - Two alluring bonus characters created specifically for the game by renowned manga artists and character designers
• Take the Fight Online - For the first time ever, fight opponents around the world online in multiple versus modes

New Fighting System Elements:

• Active Matching Battle: New to the Soulcalibur franchise, experience non-stop matches where opponents will try to defeat players one right after another. How enemies are strategically defeated is the key to longevity.
• Critical Finish: Slowly fill the Soul gauge to unleash a devastating finishing move to defeat enemies once and for all with spectacular effects!
• Equipment Destruction: Now the wages of battle are shown as protective armor can be broken off and visible lacerations of clothing can be seen.
• Multiple Gameplay Modes - Experience Soulcalibur in Story, Arcade, Tower of Lost Souls, Training, Character Creation, and Museum modes.

Check back soon for exclusive footage of the game.


Many screenshots here ...

via Computer and Video Games


The current top rated Ikaruga Xbox Live Arcade player has directed a white and black laser beam of hate at the Treasure remake, calling the Arcade version "a horrible port".

The Japanese player, Gamertag Kingoro58k, put up with the port long enough to get to the number one slot, but writes on his Gamertag bio (in Japanese): "The XBLA version of Ikaruga is a horrible port. This isn't Ikaruga, this is Ikaruga LOL."

Apparently, the reason for the Ikaruga XBLA hate (according to the internet) is a number of subtle changes in the Arcade version that have pissed off the hardcore shooter players.

These are changes like different enemy placement from the Dreamcast version, and one of the boss's lasers sping round the opposite way. You can't please everyone.

Read our review of Ikargua, where we say good things about the Treasure shooter, here. ...

via Games Industry


Mario Kart Wii has shot to the top of the Swedish multiformat charts replacing Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock, just a week after its release.

Nintendo’s racer was followed by another new title Ubisoft’s Assassins Creed for the PC, the only PC title in the top ten, and Activision’s Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock for the PS2, which dropped two places to number three.

Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock holds the top spot on both the PS2 and Xbox 360 charts and comes in fifth and third on the PS3 and Wii charts respectively.

The PS3, however, has the strongest showing on the multiformat charts taking up four of the top ten places, double the amount of the Wii or PS2.

Assassins Creed topped the PC sales chart knocking World of Warcraft into second place, followed by EA’s Counter-Strike 1: Anthology and World of Warcraft the Burning Crusade. Vivendi and EA dominate the PC charts with four titles each in the top ten.

The top ten multiformat sellers in Sweden follow:

1. Mario Kart Wii (Wii)
2. Assassins Creed (PC)
3. Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock (PS2)
4. Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3)
5. World of Warcraft (PC)
6. Singstar Svenska hits Schlager (PS2)
7. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
8. Sega Rally (PS3)
9. Virtua Fighter 5 (PS3)
10. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (PS3) ...

via Games Industry


Sales of the Xbox 360 in Europe have "more than doubled" since the company announced a price cut in mid March, according to Microsoft.

According to the company, the Xbox 360 has an attach rate of seven games to each console after 27 months on the market, compared to 3.8 units per PS3 and 3.5 games for every Wii.

"Xbox 360 is truly the next-generation console of choice among consumers, and today’s numbers are proof that we are delivering on our commitment to achieve critical mass in Europe," said Chris Lewis, vice president of Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business in Europe.

"The highly competitive ERP, coupled with entertainment content that's appealing to everyone in the home, makes Xbox 360 the ultimate high-definition entertainment choice, and it’s clear that we’re already seeing this resonate with consumers."

Microsoft has not announced any specific sales numbers following the price cut.

In March the company dropped the price of the Core Xbox 360 to GBP 159.99, the Premium to 199.99 and the Elite to GBP 259.99. ...

via IGN


Leading video games publisher and developer Namco Bandai Games America Inc., today announced Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm exclusively for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. Based on the popular Naruto animated television series from VIZ Media, the game delivers ninja action on an unprecedented scale as players go head to head in full 3D combat, investigate every inch of the Hidden Leaf Village in open-world exploration and revel in high definition graphics that surpass traditional hand-drawn animation.

Evolving the head-to-head fighting action of the Ultimate Ninja series, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm allows players to battle in full 3D across massive environments. Players will unleash powerful jutsu attacks, perform acrobatic evasive maneuvers and even run up walls and over water as they pursue their opponent for ninja supremacy. Players will be able to customize their character's fighting style and recruit up to two support characters to put their own stamp on the action. Each character in the game is capable of unleashing powerful Awakening abilities under certain gameplay conditions, offering new traits and talents to the game's impressive ninja roster of 25 popular characters from the animated series. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm supports head-to-head multiplayer fighting for up to two players.

Allowing players to further immerse themselves in the world of Naruto, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm introduces all-new free-roaming exploration across the Hidden Leaf Village and the Forest of Death. Players can search every inch of these iconic environments to take on more than 100 unique missions, collect valuable scrolls and interact with additional characters from the Naruto animated series. Injecting additional variety to the game's head-to head combat, these missions include races, special deliveries and large-scale battles against massive opponents.

Taking advantage of an original next-generation graphics engine, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm utilizes fluid animation, incredible visual detail and an advanced facial expression system to create high-definition graphics on the PlayStation 3 system that surpass traditional hand-drawn animation. Replicating the same environments, characters and effects as the hit animated series, this new technology allows gamers to become a part of the world of Naruto like never before.

"Naruto's PlayStation 3 system debut truly blurs the line between gaming and animation to deliver the most immersive and authentic interactive experience the franchise has ever seen," said Todd Thorson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations with Namco Bandai Games America, Inc. "Players will marvel at the game's jaw-dropping graphics, fast-paced 3D fighting and new open-world exploration as they experience a classic Naruto storyline with all of their favorite characters and environments." ...

via Eurogamer


Sony has decorated its freshly relaunched PlayStation Store with the Metal Gear Online beta client, the Broken Mirror expansion for Warhawk, and a Deadly Dragons pack for Lair, marking a return to its usual schedule of Thursday updates.

There's also an "Everyone's a Rat" Grand Theft Auto IV trailer, which you can see over on Eurogamer TV right now if you can't be bothered to go home and download it.

All of these are free apart, from the Warhawk expansion, which costs GBP 3.99.

Remember, the Metal Gear Online beta doesn't start until Monday; the Lair content is accompanied by a title update adding analog controls; and Broken Mirror has several fresh maps and an armoured vehicle to ferry troops around in.

The PlayStation Store was recently refurbished to be quicker and easier to navigate, with the fresh look released on Tuesday along with some bits and pieces of content.

Some of you have since complained that it is actually slower than it used to be, but Sony assured everyone this was only because hordes of you were rushing to use it. ...

via Computer and Video Games


If you're looking for something to moan about this morning, here it is; the PlayStation 3 version of GTA IV features a five minute mandatory install.

A 1UP writer posted about the install on the NeoGAF forum, after playing the PS3 version at Rockstar's iron fortress.

Five minutes isn't nearly as bad as 22, but it's still been enough to send the internet barmy on the forums. We can't see what the fuss is about, personally. Doesn't every PS3 game feature an install these days?

As for the Xbox 360 version, there are also rumours this morning that that version will feature an "optional" hard drive install, although that's still very much unconfirmed.

We're currently awaiting reply from the lovely chaps at Rockstar about the hard drive controversy, and will let you know what it has to say. ...

via Eurogamer


Infinity Ward has said the Variety Map Pack for Call of Duty 4 on PS3 will be released on 1st May.

Europeans will be given a double experience weekend immediately after launch, from Friday 2nd May to Sunday 4th May. You will also have a chance to shoot the developers in games on that Friday night, from 7pm to 10pm GMT.

Meanwhile, those of you in the US will be playing the maps a little earlier on 24th April, with your double experience weekend to follow immediately after from 25th to 27th April.

Infinity Ward also hopes to have its PC Community Map Contest open and receiving submissions by the end of the week.

We had a look at the Variety Map Pack when it was released for Xbox 360 earlier this month. We liked Creek and Chinatown more than Killhouse and Broadcast.

The Variety Map Pack cost 800 Microsoft Points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.60) on Xbox 360. There is currently no word on a PS3 price. ...

via Eurogamer


The next wave of recycled SingStar songs will be added to the PS3 SingStore tomorrow.

Semi-official blog ThreeSpeech confirmed the news, alongside lists of tracks for eight European regions.

English-language songs come from groups like Duran Duran and Placebo, and singers including Billy Joel to Natasha Bedingfield. "Crying" by Roy Orbison is in there as well, but is best avoided by those who have trouble with their Rs. The letter.

Individual tracks will set you back GBP 0.99.

Head over to ThreeSpeech for German, Danish, Dutch, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish lists. Or pop your eyes down there a bit for the English selection.

• GANGgajang - "Sounds Of Then (This Is Australia)"
• Placebo - "Every You Every Me"
• Corinne Bailey Rae - "I'd Like To"
• Dover - "Serenade"
• The Gift - "OK! Do You Want Something Simple?"
• The Gift - "Question Of Love"
• Jackie Wilson - "Reet Petite"
• The Pipettes - "Pull Shapes"
• The Magic Numbers - "Forever Lost"
• Billy Ocean - "Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run)"
• Roy Orbison - "Crying"
• Duran Duran - "Ordinary World"
• Maximo Park - "Girls Who Play Guitars"
• Natasha Bedingfield - "These Words"
• Billy Joel - "Piano Man"
• Billy Joel - "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me"
• Bic Runga - "Sway"

...