Realm Media Networks - PlayStation 3 | Nintendo Wii | Xbox 360

Review: Purr Pals

Luke Wallace — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:38:30 -0700

There are games that reviewers look forward to, and games that they don't. For the games that we don't, it's usually because the game has had nothing but bad news leading up to its release, or that we're clearly outside the target market of the game. With Purr Pals for the Nintendo Wii, it's clearly the second reason. But perhaps this simple game with its cute box art and wuvable wittle kitties... sorry... loveable little kitties, can turn this late-twenty-something gamer into a pet-sim lover.

Review: 1942: Joint Strike

Ryan Klemick — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:16:08 -0700

Capcom sure has been having a blast releasing some remakes of classic arcade shooters recently, haven't they? Next off the development line is 1942: Joint Strike, the new (re)incarnation of its classic WWII Pacific Theater shooter series. Like Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3, 1942: Joint Strike should satisfy the old school shooter fans out there with some tight graphics and killer gameplay. Read on for the full review.

Rock Band Live Tour comes to Dallas in November

Luke Wallace — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:51:03 -0700

With the huge success of the original Rock Band game, Harmonix is promoting their upcoming sequel, Rock Band 2, by taking the show on the road. Using headliners Panic At The Disco and Dashboard Confessional, they will be having concerts across the country that will feature Rock Band performances by the general public. That means that you might be able to play on stage between the major acts, and show off your Rock Band skills to the world.

Tickets for the event will go on sale starting on August 8th, 2008, with the local Dallas show happening on November 12, 2008 at Nokia Theatre.

The full press release and tour dates are listed after the jump.

Rock Band Contest provides that Rock Star feeling

Dennis Taylor — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:06:20 -0700

Ever since Harmonix developed the first Guitar Hero game in 2005, the goal has always been to give the feeling of performing up on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans. This idea was expanded with the release of Rock Band which allowed you to complete your band with a drummer and lead singer. The only problem left was that you were still just playing in your living room with your friends, not on a real stage in front of screaming fans. That is unless of course you had the chance to perform at The Ultimate Rock Band & Guitar Hero Competition this past weekend at The Max, hosted by Maximedia Studios.

Click the read more link below.

Wii MotionPlus brings 1:1 motion to the Wii, claims Nintendo

Luke Wallace — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:44:36 -0700

Nintendo has begun teasing some of the topics they'll be talking about Tuesday morning at their E3 2008 keynote press conference, starting with a new peripheral that claims to bring 1:1 motion control to the Wii. So far only mentioned as a "MotionPlus" accessory, details about how the device looks, how expensive it will be, or what is really possible with it will likely be shown tomorrow.

It would be great if Nintendo would provide the peripheral for free to all current users, like they did with the Remote Jackets, but it's more likely it will come bundled with a new game (Star Wars: The Force Unleashed maybe?) like the Wii Wheel. 1:1 motion control, where the exact orientation of the Wii Remote can be detected, was mentioned as a missing feature when the Wii was released, but most of the noise has died down in the midst of the millions of units sold. Either a new game needed it to provide the desired experience, or Nintendo saw an opportunity to improve gameplay even more.

Full mini-press release after the jump.

Impressions: Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3

Ryan Klemick — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:00:58 -0700

Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 is a new Xbox Live Arcade release from Capcom that packs quite a punch to the senses. With bright and colorful visuals and crisp, accurate audio your eyes and ears will be under a full on assault from the first moments you hit the beach.

Perform on Fake Instruments on a Real Stage for Real Money

Luke Wallace — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:03:08 -0700

The idea behind games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band is to give you the sensation of playing in front of a huge crowd and rocking out, but usually these games are played in a living room with a very small group of people. Occasionally there are competitions that allow you get on stage, but even then, they are usually on a small, temporary stage. But fear not, little rocker dude, because Saturday July 12, 2008, Maximedia Studios will be offering the chance for anyone to play on a professional stage in front of a roaring crowd. The "Ultimate Guitar Hero / Rock Band Contest" will be challenging rockers from the Dallas/Fort Worth area to compete with each other for an as-yet-unspecified amount of cash in front of a live crowd on a real stage. There will be prizes given away throughout the day, and it should be fun for anyone. The full press release at the "read more" link below. For more information, check out the event website at www.liveatthemax.com/rockband.

Xbox 360 console licenses now transferrable

Luke Wallace — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:41:13 -0700

When you download content on your Xbox 360, it's linked not only to the Xbox LIVE account that downloaded it, but also to the console on which it was downloaded. That console license allows any profile on that particular console to access the content, not just the user that downloaded it. Unfortunately, only one console license can exist for each piece of content, so if you replace your Xbox 360, or lose it due to theft or disaster, you can't use that content again without being signed on to Xbox Live. Well, not until now.

Microsoft has just released a new tool to allow you to transfer your console licenses to a new console, meaning that people who have replaced their Xbox 360 may now re-download content and have it be accessible to any profile logged into that Xbox 360. It helps simply the licenses, and makes content more accessible, at least on one console. Microsoft still doesn't allow content to have two console licenses, which would be useful for people with multiple Xbox 360s, but as always, content can be accessed from anywhere using the Xbox LIVE account that the content is linked to.

Major Nelson (Larry Hryb) has posted a small story explaining the process and linking to a walkthrough video that shows how it all works.

Content License Transfer Tool (aka the DRM Tool) now available [MajorNelson.com]

Nintendo announces Wario, Kirby as part of their fall 2008 lineup

Luke Wallace — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:05:22 -0700

Nintendo jumped the gun on the E3 announcements by releasing a little info on some upcoming titles for the Wii and DS. Instead of being lost in the shuffle of E3 2008, they are telling us about their new Wario and Kirby games, along with the previously announced Super Sluggers and a new Mystery Case Files game.

The full press release is available after the jump.

Review: Lost Planet: Extreme Condition COLONIES EDITION

Luke Wallace — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:11:49 -0700

Many games are released in different editions. Collectors Edition, Ultimate Edition, Barnyard Edition, whatever. Usually these editions involve different packaging, a bonus comic book or artwork, or maybe even a figurine. After a game has been released and sells well, it may even be re-released in a "Game of the Year" Edition, or in the case of Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, the COLONIES EDITION. There have been a few changes to the game since its original release, but are those changes enough to tempt new consumers? Read the full review below to find out!