All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

The final PSN update of 2009 is all about the sales, with PSN and Sega DLC getting price cuts. There will be no update next week due to the holiday. Also, for all you epic space-opera shooter fans, Wing Commander IV is available as a PSone Classic for $6 -- the thing weighs in at 2.25GB. Check out the full PSN update after the break. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Direct link here This is a pretty awesome remake. It’s a shame to see that it’s not an official port. You think quality work like this might get the attention of the license-holders in order to work a deal.

Shinobii Technologies has released the "Console Toolkit," which will kill your console's warranty faster than a failed liquid cooling mod, for a mere £20 ($32). The 19-piece toolkit comes with all one needs to take apart various generations of consoles, so that the humble consumer can "replace a defective drive, burnt out laser lens, scratched or cracked screen or any other defective part." It's fairly safe to guess that most of us have about as much ability to diagnose and repair what's wrong with our defective console as we do in finding Oklahoma on a map (it's above Texas, totally true). With that said, unless you're well versed, it's probably easier, cheaper and safer to just purchase a new console. For those who do decide to purchase this and go it alone, please remember to unplug the console first ... just sayin'.

Xbox360Achievements has updated with the sweet cheevos you'll be earning upon jumping back into the captain's chair of Mass Effect 2's SSV Normandy. Some of these are certainly spoilers, but BioWare has chosen to be purposefully vague with most of them (did you know you'll be "saving your crew from an incoming attack"? No duh), so they won't completely ruin the story with a quick browse. In fact, there's some fun in speculating just what all these points might portend. What's this "Geth technology" that you'll be obtaining? And who's this mysterious "Assassin" you could be recruiting? It could be anyone! [Thanks, tmacairjordan87!]

[Game Informer] It was hinted at again and again... and again, until it was finally confirmed. Dead Space 2 is officially a thing that exists, and the sequel will land on the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC at some point. Until then, EA's Visceral Games is in full-blown tease mode. Today's tidbit of Dead Space 2 info comes in the form of a Game Informer-exclusive "3D" screenshot. The image features the game's hero, Isaac Clark, fighting off a horrific childlike necromorph. Well, to be honest, we assume the pair are fighting. For all we know the two characters could be moments away from a beautiful holiday embrace. (Mistletoe may or may not be involved.) Check out Game Informer's dedicated Dead Space 2 site to see the shot in all its interactive glory.

Get a grip on your fighting techniques with this Japanese battle tutorial for Resonance of Fate!

We may still have a few more weeks before the hair-based weapon wielding Bayonetta arrives on US shores, but that doesn't mean that reviewers haven't gotten their hands on the region-free, fully translated PlayStation 3 Japanese release (and the lucky folks at Official Xbox Magazine seem to have secured an extra early Xbox 360 review copy). Regardless of the downright silly nature of the game's story and characters, Bayonetta has thus far received universal acclaim from the critics. Here's what some had to say. Edge (100/100): "A beautiful and graceful fighting game that lets imagination loose, and winks before slapping Dante, Kratos and every other hero back to the drawing board." Eurogamer (9/10): "It's in combat that Bayonetta's splendour is fully revealed ... a blast of creative brilliance, both technically accomplished, strategically deep and infused with rare imagination, Bayonetta represents the pinnacle of its chosen niche." Official Xbox Magazine (90/100): "Every one of these dazzling battles is thrilling without overstaying its welcome - and also challenges you without being cheap" Play.tm (95%): "Bayonetta could - and should - breathe fresh life into the ailing Japanese action genre ... an unrivalled showcase of imagination and creativity." Source 1 - Metacritic PS3 Source 2 - Metacritic Xbox 360

Start the New Year off with a God of War/Legend of Zelda hybrid.

Take a look behind the scenes of Trauma Team and meet the voices behind the characters.

With hundreds of voices in the game, the team behind Trauma Team had quite the job casting the game.

It's very, very possible that you might have been sated solely by the new Serious Sam: The First Ecounter HD holiday trailer. It's hard not to be satisfied by the sight of Santa suit clad Sams running around and destroying everything in sight. It really calls to mind the true spirit of Christmas. That said, we could always do with more holiday cheer, so you should know that the Xbox Live Arcade version has been confirmed for a January 13 release. See, cheery, right?

Game Arts announced that its original WiiWare action game, The Magic Obelisk, will be available on the North American Wii Shop next Monday, December 28, for 500 Wii Points. The game, released in Japan as Shadow Walker: Boy of Shadow, Fairy of Light, stars a tree spirit named Lukus, who travels the world in search of the most beneficial place to turn into a tree, and a light spirit named Popo, who uses his ability to create the shadows Lukus requires to move. Game Arts got its Wii experience through the co-development of Super Smash Bros. Brawl and the subsequent creation of TMNT Smash-Up, but the developer is better known as the creator of the Lunar and Grandia RPG series, as well as the shooters Thexder and Slipheed. In the announcement of the North American date, Game Arts president Kazuki Morishita called The Magic Obelisk "a game that has been truly a labor of love for us."

Sega and Nintendo have teamed up to offer players a few holiday VC deals, announcing on Sega's UK blog that select Virtual Console titles will be discounted for a limited time. From December 24, 2009, until January 6, 2010, select titles will be reduced to 500 Wii Points each from down from 800 Wii Points. Titles getting the 40% off treatment include such Genesis classics as ToeJam & Earl, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, Gunstar Heroes, Puyo Puyo 2, Golden Axe, Shining Force and Streets of Rage. Also, for the lump of coal types, Sega has discounted the "admit it, it stinks" brawler, Altered Beast. It's a great offer for new Wii owners, or those looking to relive their lost youth.

The bottom fell out, Nintendo triumphed and we never looked back.

The bottom fell out, Nintendo triumphed and we never looked back.

The bottom fell out, Nintendo triumphed and we never looked back.

.nounderline a { text-decoration: none; } That little white box of yours doesn't just play discs -- it's also home to a virtual treasure trove of downloadable games. In this guide, we recommend our favorite WiiWare and Virtual Console titles from 2009, fit together to appeal to Wii's eclectic audience. What kinds of gamers are in your home? I Heart Hudson | Kids Corner | Nouveau Retro Parent Trap | Sega Defense Force | Wannabe Plumber

2010's most exotic multiplayer experience supplemented by limited "Hunter Edition" version of the game.

Play The Path in your own language, and cheap, too. Tale of Tales releases translations patch for The Path and offers Anniversary discounts.

Want to see what went into the making of the Night of the Werehog feature? How about check out some concept art and test videos for the project? I always love seeing this kind of thing, and I have to say that these findings are pretty damn interesting. Article here (thanks MoblintheBold!)

We've got our hands on the son of Zeus in all his glory.

Nimoy will voice the introduction to Star Trek Online and key in-game scenes.

Kreedz Climbing is a 3D platforming experience created using the Source engine.

Most Unnecessary Peripheral(s) Yeah, I’d have to say that I feel pretty stupid for having all those accessories cluttering up a corner in my house. Seriously, there is no good place to put the drums, or a DJ deck for that matter.