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As a huge fan of the original Tomb Raider game, it’s really gratifying to see how well Crystal Dynamics has re-invigorated the series. And frankly, I can’t think of a better way to make a new Tomb Raider game than to just remake (and improve upon) the original. And judging from the video above, CrystalD has done a really good job of improving on the original. Not only are there huge graphical improvements evident, but this video goes a long way in showing that Anniversary won’t just be a quick port. The developers are obviously taking the time to add some new features and puzzle elements to the game, so that even seasoned TR gamers will be getting a new experience.

TR Anniversary Edition will be releasing shortly for the PC, PS2, and PSP, with a Wii version to follow shortly thereafter. Color me giddy. Now, if we could just erase the memories of Tomb Raider 3 through Angel of Darkness and the movies.

Read More | Gametrailers.com

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Fortune Wii CoverTo go along with Fortune magazine’s recent article on the Wii (see here), CNN.com has posted an online look at the components that make-up the Wii Remote. While it’s meant to give business-type folks a feel for just how much it costs to make the little gadget, it features an interesting bit of information. According to their disassembly, the Wii Remote features an “Audio Translator” which “converts analog data such as human speech into a digital data stream”.

Whu?! Admittedly, mainstream news sources often don’t get their videogame information exactly right, so this could all just be a misprint or misunderstanding on the part of CNN/Fortune Magazine. Still, rumors of the Wii remote featuring or using a microphone of some sort have been floating around for a long time, so we’d be somewhat unsurprised if this tidbit just happened to be true. But given Nintendo’s tight hold on new information, we may not learn anything more about this new feature for quite some time…

Click the jump to see a screencap of the new info…

Click to continue reading CNN Claims Wiimote Features “Audio Translator”

Read More | Money.CNN.com

Geometry Wars

Geometry Wars, for those who haven’t had an opportunity to play it, is a very simple game to describe: it’s like Asteroids on crack. With neon lights. And a lot more enemies. It’s super addictive, and has been the prized jewel of the Xbox Live Arcade since its release - many even considered it the best title available on the Xbox 360, retail or otherwise. Fans have been begging for a sequel, and they’re getting it, sorta – Geometry Wars: Galaxies is in development and is headed exclusively to the Wii and DS.

For everyone who owns a platform other than an Xbox 360 (those guys and girl had their heads explode after reading that exclusive bit), the two titles were confirmed in the latest issue of Nintendo Power. The game is taking the classic “in a new direction” – expect an extensive campaign and multiplayer. They will each take advantage of the respective system’s features.

The original Retro Evolved game will be included as well, making this one incredible package. Both games are being developed by Battalion Wars developer Kuju, and should see release sometime this fall.


Latest Gear Live Videos

DescriptionOK, so the countdown to the Smash Bros. site going live was somewhat of a letdown… but if this week’s news is any indication, things might start heating up on the site real soon now. This week, we’re treated to some more info about Pit, the new character of Kid Icarus fame. He can fly! He can shoot arrows! He can do all those things you’d expect a cupid-like kid to be able to do! Alright, so it’s not exactly groundbreaking but there are some pretty cool screencaps!

Head over to the official smash bros site to see the latest postings… or just click the jump below for the new screens!

Click to continue reading Smash Bros. Wii Site Updates w/ Pit Information

Read More | Smash Bros. Dojo!!!

On the heels of EA’s new Madden video comes this brief look at the newest Need for Speed title, which we know next to nothing about - not a title or even the platforms it’ll be released on. The video is entitled “Damage,” and if you take a look at the video, you’ll agree that it’s an appropriate name. One of the features in the new NFS is apparently going to be the ability to rip your car to shreds in an accident, Burnout-style.

Like the Madden video before it, the game certainly looks pretty, but hopefully the game will play as well as the competition. As the video alludes, there apparently will be some sort of announcement on May 31 at the official Need for Speed website, and we’ll get word of whatever that might be to you as soon as it’s made available.


Raving Rabbids 2 Logo

So the real gaming news is that Ubisoft will be releasing Rayman: Raving Rabbids 2 for the Wii and DS. According to IGN.com, the game will focus much more on the Rabbids themselves, and much less on Rayman. Personally, this sounds to me like a great idea - the bunnies have enough charm to be a franchise all their own, so there’s no need to tie in a popular platformer character (especially when the game retains little of what the original Rayman series was all about). The game is expected to hit in Fall 2007, no exact date given yet.

OK, now with all that NEWS out of the way, isn’t it just a little odd how closely that graphic above resembles the advertisement for a certain other hyper-kinetic rabbity thing? I’m guessing Telltale Games will have a good sense of humor about Ubisoft using their idea, but maybe RRR2 should give Max a cameo as compensation…

Read More | GoNintendo.com

Geometry Wars Wii


Buttonbasher brings us the scoop from the latest issue of Nintendo Power, noting that the XBLA hit Geometry Wars will be hitting Nintendo’s platforms this fall. The new game, Geometry Wars: Galaxies will feature what sounds like a quest-style single player game, in addition to multiplayer and ports of the original 2 Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved XBLA titles. The Wii version will (of course) use motion controls, and the DS version plans to use the touch-screen. Personally, I’m hoping they add an option to put the dual-analogs on the classic controller to good use.

The game is expected to hit in the fall and will hopefully carry a budget-style price, given that the xbox 360 title has been out for years now.

Read More | Buttonbasher

Blazing Lasers

Following several weeks of overall disappointing releases, has dropped three top-notch titles onto the this week. Now available are Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong’s Quest, Streets of Rage 2, and Blazing Lasers. You may not be familiar with that last one, but it’s an excellent vertical-scrolling shooter – and it’s definitely worth the price tag at $6. And unless you’ve played them to death, there’s no reason to not pick up DKC2 and SoR2 for $8 apiece.

Descriptions after the break.

Click to continue reading Virtual Console 4/21: I’m Blown Away By The Awesomeness


Metroid Prime 3 logoNintendo certainly gave Wii gamers some reasons to be excited this morning. First off, we have the announcement of titles that will hit the little white box this summer. It looks like August 20th is going to belong to Nintendo - not only will Metroid Prime 3 hit, but Brain Age 2, the sequel to the smash hit for the DS, will be launching as well. The pairing of these two titles seems like a pretty strong statement that Nintendo is indeed going after both the “core” and “casual” gamers, respectively.

There’s some more great surprises in the list, but we won’t spoil it all for you here. So, click that jump for all the summer release dates!

Oh, and if you needed another reason to get excited, the Smash Bros. Dojo!! site should be going live in a matter of hours.

Click to continue reading Nintendo’s Megaton Morning: Metroid in Summer, Smash Bros. Live


Super Smash Bros. Brawl SnakeNo, not a countdown to the release of the game. The official Super Smash Bros. Brawl website has been updated with a countdown to the launch of a new official game website. Next week we’ll see its unveiling and hopefully, in the process, learn some new information about the game. Maybe some screenshots, character lists, or (crosses fingers) word on online play? Given that we’ve heard next to nothing about Brawl, any tidbit will undoubtedly be drooled over by Wii owners dying for the next big thing.

Be sure to keep your eyes open for the release of the website.

Read More | Smash Bros. Dojo

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