via Games Industry


Don Mattrick, senior vp of Microsoft Interactive Entertainment, thinks the Xbox 360 is the best value for the money this holiday season.


Mattrick, who came to his current position at Microsoft in July just as the company admitted Xbox 360 hardware failures and launched a billion dollar warranty program, thinks that the company has definitely recovered.

"I think we're getting to the point of critical mass in terms of the number of hits. I think we have the highest rated content ever to exist on a gaming system," he said.

Although he noted that the system would have a collection of exclusive and third-party hits next year, he mentioned only Grand Theft Auto IV, which he felt had the potential to be the "Halo equivalent" in the calendar year 2008.

Mattrick also said that he thinks the Xbox 360 has the potential to have the same shelf life as the PlayStation 3, which Sony is predicting will last a decade. Considering the challenge of getting the original Xbox to market and making the transition to the Xbox 360, he was pleased with the company's progress.

"I think we've got great fundamentals, and we're going to continue to drive against those fundamentals to over-deliver value and satisfaction to consumers," Mattrick concluded. ...

via Games Industry


Koch Media has announced that it has received certification from Microsoft to publish titles on the Xbox 360 platform, and plans to release two games in Europe in the future.

Those titles will be Warhammer: Battle March and Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel, although no further details on game content or possible release schedule were announced.

Managing director of Koch, Dr Klemens Kundratitz, said of the move: "As one of the largest software publishers in the European region, we consider releases for Xbox 360 to be more and more important."

Koch Media will release the games via its Deep Silver label. The company recently announced the purchase of Rockstar's former studio in Vienna, Games That Matter. ...

via Games Industry


EA's Need for Speed ProStreet is on top of the German charts according to sales data released by Media-Control GfK International.

During the week ended November 25, the latest game in the Need for Speed franchise took first, second, and fifth place on Germany's charts, with the PS2 version beating out the PC and PS3 versions.

The PC version of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and the Wii's Super Mario Galaxy were also in the top five, at number three and four respectively.


The complete Top 10 list is as follows:

1. Need for Speed ProStreet (PS2)
2. Need for Speed ProStreet (PC)
3. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC)
4. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
5. Need for Speed ProStreet (PS3)
6. Crysis (PC)
7. High School Musical - Sing It (PS2)
8. Dr. Kawashima's Gehirn-Jogging (DS)
9. Dr. Kawashima: Mehr Gehirn-Jogging (DS)
10. Die Siedler (DS) ...

via IGN


THQ has obtained the rights to produce games based on the television show Merv Griffin's Crosswords. The translations will be handled by THQ's ValuSoft. Even though his name is on the game show, Merv Griffin didn't actually appear on the program. He passed away in August of this year but was apparently involved in early talks for the videogame.


The game show pits players against each other and the clock as they all attempt to solve crosswords. The videogames are expected to arrive on the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation 2 in 2009. The agreement gives ValuSoft the option to also obtain the rights for Wii and DS versions.

"The growing popularity of Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360, in addition to the solid install-base of the PlayStation 2 system, provides a significant opportunity for a game like Merv Griffin's Crosswords," said Doug Clemmer, president of ValuSoft. ...

via IGN


Sometimes little whispers around the internet pay off, and sometimes they're as bad as slamming your face in a door. Today was the door kind. It was rumored (or at least hoped) that Super Mario RPG would be coming to VC this week, and that rumor/dream has again been delayed once more. Instead, Nintendo has released three new classics to the Virtual Console this morning, including one from the NES era, one from SEGA Genesis, and of course, a TG-16 title.

This week's release includes ZANAC for NES, a single player top-down shooter, the short-lived Genesis fighter Eternal Champions, and The Dynastic Hero; an action-RPG set in the insect kingdom. For more information on these games, check out the always-included official Nintendo game breakdowns below. Happy downloading.


ZANAC (NES, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): ZANAC is a vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up game that was released in November 1986. Take control of the state-of-the-art fighter, ZANAC, with the objective of destroying the bases of the mechanized enemy forces. Use your full array of regular weapons as well as eight special weapons to clear the 12 intense areas of the game. Be careful, though, as the game changes the degree of difficulty in real time based on how well you play. This ensures that it feels like you're experiencing a new game every time you play.

Eternal Champions (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Animated Blood, Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): This 2-D fighting game introduces a cast of different characters that met untimely deaths in their lives on Earth. Now they have been given a chance to compete against each other, with the winner taking on the Eternal Champion, the ultimate fighter in the universe. The reward for defeating the Eternal Champion is a return to Earth for the opportunity to avenge death and restore balance to the universe. Choose from nine unique characters with a variety of fighting styles, and bring your best moves to defeat all comers in your quest to topple the Eternal Champion.

The Dynastic Hero (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): The Dynastic Hero is an action RPG featuring a cast of insect characters. The story begins with the invasion of their peaceful homeland of Tarron by the evil Drilkor Empire. Rushing to the insects' aid is Dyna, the prince of Beetras. Take control of Dyna as he battles through action-filled stages. Equip weapons and items to vanquish the relentless foes, and acquire special items that enable you to brave the journey across the perilous desert or open sea. But it's not just all action. Correctly answer multiple-choice quizzes, and play the ocarina to find the right melody to open doors. Plus, there are countless traps and other puzzles packed into this fun game to keep you entertained and ensure you continue coming back for more. ...

via Gizmodo




easy enough to throw a few lights and a clear door on your PC or console and declare it a mod. But to make it look like this modded Wii takes an aesthetic eye. Put together by a modder who calls himself Kypes, the Wii features a black face and stand, clear sides, painted Disk Drive and LEDs that feature enough neon goodness to get a hipster excited.

What makes the LED arrangement so nice is the way the purple lights cross to highlight the disk drive and the green lights illuminate the rear fan. Kypes also included an additional SD slot in the back, a built in Game Cube memory card, and a new light for the load slot. Check out the video below for a better idea.


...

via Kotaku




My friends, there are mods and there are mods. But for a mod to be awarded the immortality of Kotakutalics, it need be something extraordinary. This Wii Zapper constructed (solely?) of legos (UPDATE: screw grammar, I say it this way) is indeed something extraordinary. Because at long last, Man has the proper peripheral to play an honest game of LEGO Duck Hunt. And we're sure it's every bit as wonderful as we thought it to be. ...

via Kotaku





If you are lucky enough to own not only a Wii but a one-of-a-kind Zelda Wii covered in 7,500 24-carat dipped Swarovski crystals, then no, you can't complain to us about much of anything. Sure, you may still have family or relationship problems--we know money can't buy happiness. But apparently money very much can buy objects that induce happiness by attracting new friends and new family to your prominence. But if the custom Wii is our of your price range, maybe you'll settle for the same designer's swank Mario DS:



At $350 [£170], that DS is not such a bad price. And I'll admit it...I actually kind of like it. But only kind of. ...

via Eurogamer


XSEED has picked up the US publishing rights to Wild Arms XF on PSP, and hopes to release it there next spring.

Pronounced "crossfire", it will be the first time the RPG series has appeared on handheld, bringing with it a fresh cast and snazzy new story.

The world of Filgaia is stuck in an endless cycle of war for its limited resources, you see, and even the kingdom of Elesius with its poorly king has been dragged into the fracas. Soon you, as Clarissa Arwin, will find your hunt for the murderer of your mother intertwined with the fate of Filgaia, and take it upon yourself to go and save the day. Nice people do things like that.

Fighting is done in a familiar turn-based style and there will be over 20 job classes to customise your characters with, as well as crafting from rare materials to create better bits and pieces for your team.

All in all there will be around 60 stages to strategically work through, and in-game cut-scenes to keep you stuck to your screen.

Unfortunately there is no word on its European plans just yet, but we will keep you posted as more becomes available. ...