The latest issue of Japanese mag Famitsu (we've never heard of it) lists a brand new Soul Calibur game for Wii.

According to a rough translation of the mag Soul Calibur Legends - as it's being called - lets you "meet the Soul Calibur characters and fight using the Wii Remote", though probably not necessarily in that order.

We haven't been able to get anything out of Namco Bandai yet but speculation is already writhe on good old internet forums. Is it an adventure spin-off? Will the new controls work? Will Link be in it? We'll let you know as soon as we hear anything more.

via cvg ...

Those hankering for a bit of GRAW this morning can look forward to an explosion of classic multiplayer maps arriving on Xbox Live Marketplace today.

The maps, which work in every multiplayer mode, are pulled from Ghost Recon 2, Summit Strike and the original Advanced Warfighter, having been given a complete visual makeover for GRAW 2 - though we're sure series veterans will have no trouble recognising them.

The maps included in the Throwback Pack are:

- Bonfires
- Desert Gulch
- Fishing Village
- Jungle Mines
- Mountain Base
- Mountain Falls
- Peninsula

We haven't spotted in on Marketplace and there are no pricing details just yet but we'll let you know when we hear word from Ubisoft.

via cvg ...

Continuing to bolster the flood of announcements primed for this weekend's Square Enix Party, the company has revealed The Last Remnant, a new RPG franchise set to focus on the Western audience.

Earlier this year the RPG powerhouse confirmed that it had licensed the stupidly-popular Unreal Engine 3 - and it looks like this is the game that's using the Epic tech.

The not much info going around on the new franchise yet, apart from its simultaneous release in both Japan and North America (with us hopefully getting it within a year after that, if we're good).

Look for more details to emerge from Square Enix's bash this weekend.

via cvg ...

Gamers hoping to play Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure, the Nihon Falcom action-RPG for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system localized and published by Mastiff, LLC, should have an easier time of it, as Mastiff announced today that supply has been increased at a number of retail locations nationwide. Copies of the critically acclaimed action-roleplaying game can be found at retailers across North America.

Gamers in some regions had trouble finding the game in the weeks following its February release, as supplies were extremely limited; however, consumers who failed to find the game initially will have their patience rewarded - the suggested price of Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure has been cut in half, bringing the price down to only $19.99.

"The PSP system has dropped to $169.99," commented Parin, the 14-year-old star of Gurumin, "So you really don't have any more excuses to not run out and pick up my game now. If you're still holding out, you should just give up video games entirely, and take up something more your speed - like needlepoint!"

"Between the increased availability and the economical price, RPG fans should now have no trouble getting their hands on Gurumin," said Bill Swartz, Head Woof of Mastiff, LLC.

Gurumin has won the hearts of dozens of reviewers, including Gabe Graziani of GameSpy, who said, "Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure delivers the classic Japanese RPG experience and is simultaneously adorable and hilarious ... if you're only planning to get a single RPG for your PSP® this year, this could well be the one to play."

"Charming, full of personality, and with a gentle sense of humor, Gurumin is a bright and catchy portable game," said Heather Campbell of Play magazine. Electronic Gaming Monthly even compared Gurumin to a gaming legend: "Gurumin's solid gameplay and likeable characters make it the closest thing to a Zelda game you'll find on Sony's handheld." ...

Selatra the global distributor of mobile Java games, announced today the availability of a mobile version of the classic Subbuteo table football game.

Called Subbuteo Mobile, the game was created under license from Hasbro Properties and is expected to open up the Subbuteo experience to a whole new generation of fans.

The game has made a smooth transition to the mobile world, retaining many of the quirks, moves and gameplay feel of the original title, thanks to first class game development by Creative North Studios.

“Selatra’s established distribution network in over 55 countries will ensure the mobile Subbuteo experience will reach an audience of over 200 million subscribers.” said Sean Cronin, CEO of Selatra. “‘Subbuteo is 40 years old this year and there are many fans with fond memories of playing hard fought tournaments. The mobile version has the ability to excite a whole new generation of football fans and we are delighted at the trust Hasbro has placed in us.”

Cronin also had words of praise for game developers, Creative North:

“We are impressed with the care and attention Creative North has lavished on this project,” said Cronin. “This collaboration with Hasbro and Creative North reinforces our strategy of releasing only the highest quality branded and non-branded games to our retail partners,” said Cronin.

Phil Mundy CEO of Creative North added: “Being Subbuteo fans ourselves we have given the mobile incarnation lots of loving care. There are plenty of skill practice opportunities for new players, so you don’t have to be familiar with the original game to play it. I hope Selatra’s audiences get as much fun playing this game as we have had developing it.”

Subbuteo Mobile is available on all GSM and 3G networks. Selatra’s full range of games is available on www.selatra.com ...

press release:

Eidos interactive, one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, can confirm that Pony Friends on Nintendo DS will be released throughout Europe on May 18th 2007.

Developed exclusively for Nintendo DS by Melbourne-based studio Tantalus Interactive, Pony Friends is set to become the must-have title for the summer. Using the touch screen and voice commands you must care for, compete with and create your perfect pony.

Customise your pony by choosing its favourite colour and food, groom and care for it daily. Take your pony out and explore over 15 different trails trekking through mountains, wetlands, farmland, towns, forests, along beaches and more. Daily play will ensure that your pony is the prettiest, healthiest, fastest, most talented, and best pony, scooping you first prize in the prestigious ‘perfect pony competition’.

Pony Friends features an intuitive play style and an accessible learning curve, taking full advantage of the capabilities of the Nintendo DS stylus, microphone and dual screens.

Pony Friends will be available throughout Europe on May 18th. ...

press release:

Eidos Interactive, one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, is pleased to announce NERVOUS BRICKDOWN, an incredibly fun and highly addictive new puzzle game designed exclusively for the Nintendo DS platform.

NERVOUS BRICKDOWN is the very first bat-and-ball game designed especially for the Nintendo DS. It features eye-catching graphics and takes full advantage of the DS’ dual screens, stylus, microphone and Wi-Fi capability. The game takes the classic bat-and-ball gameplay and turns it on its head by taking it to other retro-game worlds, such as old school shoot-em ups and crazy golf! Do everything from drawing your own bat, saving the drowning people and blowing away the ghosts, all before facing increasingly outrageous end of level baddies – as all classic games should have.

Developed by Arkedo Studios, NERVOUS BRICKDOWN breathes new life into the bat-and-ball genre, featuring 135 challenging levels, a unique visual style and a fantastic soundtrack. Play on your own or with a friend via Wi-Fi mode. ...

Heres the charts:

1 SPIDER-MAN 3
2 GOD OF WAR II
3 THE ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION
4 BUZZ! THE MEGA QUIZ
5 TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 07
6 VIRTUA TENNIS 3
7 POKEMON RANGER
8 FIFA 07
9 FINAL FANTASY III
10 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2006-2007
11 TMNT: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
12 HARVEST MOON DS
13 LOTR ONLINE: SHADOWS OF ANGMAR
14 NEW SUPER MARIO BROS.
15 COMMAND & CONQUER 3: TIBERIUM WARS
16 DIDDY KONG RACING DS
17 SONIC AND THE SECRET RINGS
18 CRACKDOWN
19 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 6
20 MEDAL OF HONOR: VANGUARD ...

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI), today announced that it has acquired mobile game development studio Universomo Ltd. Based in Finland, Universomo has been offering a mobile game development solution for leading global game publishers since 2002. The company’s proprietary game development environment and automated porting solution supports all major mobile platforms, enabling rapid and cost efficient development and porting on a worldwide basis.

“Bringing cross-platform mobile development capabilities in-house is a key component in our growth strategy,” said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of worldwide publishing, THQ. “The combination of Universomo’s award-winning creative development skills and their proven porting solution will enable new technology efficiencies for THQ Wireless, giving us the scalability to focus on building both our cornerstone brands and new, owned properties across Europe, Asia and North America.”

“THQ’s global publishing footprint and leading brand portfolio made them a natural fit for Universomo,” said Markku Hakkala, Managing Director, Universomo. “The easy integration of Universomo’s development and technology means that we are on track to take full advantage of continued market growth opportunities worldwide.” ...