All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

Has the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 disc ever gone for a spin inside your console? Well, you may have unlocked a spiffy new gun for Medal of Honor -- the game isn't out yet and you're already unlocking content for it? Man, you're awesome!

The Battlefield blog breaks the news, detailing early access to the M24 Sniper rifle in multiplayer. Of course, there are a few caveats: You need an EA account and you must have registered a Battlefield: Bad Company 2 VIP code. If you haven't done either of those things, you have until March 31, 2011 to get it done -- PC players need to only have participated in an online match to be eligible for the unlock. If you purchased a VIP code through the Bad Company 2 store, sorry, you're not eligible.

The other requirement is that you have to pick up a copy of Medal of Honor when it releases later this year. Yes, we're serious -- if you want the gun in the game, you're going to have to buy the game to get the gun. We know, it's totally not fair!

The Wiggles go hi-tech with their first computer game exclusive to PlayStation.

If the Puzzle Quest 2 XBLA trailer last month wasn't your thing, check out the promo for the portable version of the RPG puzzler. The trailers are almost identical, except that all the XBLA shots are replaced with clips showing almost the exact same scenes on the DS. It's certainly good for comparison.

D3 Publisher has already stated that Puzzle Quest 2 on DS will not be plagued by the loading time issues found in Galactrix so if that's been keeping you up at night, rest easy.

#rankings Millward Brown Optimor, a "global brand strategy" analyst firm, just stepped into a heaping pile of fanboy doodoo with its latest rankings of the 100 most valuable brands in the world, pegging Sony at 94th. Nintendo is 32nd, Microsoft fourth. More »

The "last bundle" of Mega Man 10 DLC is being, has been, or will be, made available this week on all the major consoles. Special Stages 2 and 3, featuring Punk and Ballade, will cost $.99 (100 Wii Points, 80), while the "Endless Mode" will set back mega-heads $3 (300 Wii Points, 240).

The release dates:

• (Past) WiiWare - Monday 4/26
• (Present) XBLA - Today 4/28
• (Future) PSN - Thur 4/29

The first batch of DLC, showcasing Bass and Special Stage 1, was made available earlier this month.

Mr. Griffith chose to resign just two months before his contract was up. What could this possibly entail?

#activision Raven Software's oft-delayed sci-fi shooter Singularity will get a little help from last year's open-world action adventure Prototype. Activision is giving away the latter if you purchase a copy of the Xbox 360 version of Singularity. More »

Click to enlarge A mystery figure has appeared in the latest update to the God of War teaser site "SpartansStandTall." His reflection (captured above) momentarily flashes on screen during the video loop of the site's rendered thunderstorm. This is the second update to the site; its URL is revealed to players that unlock the God of War 3 Platinum Trophy.

The apparent meter that circles the icon in the upper right corner of the full screen (not pictured) is now three-quarters full (it was one-quarter full to start and was filled to halfway upon the first update), suggesting that the next update will display a full meter and perhaps the ultimate reveal. (DLC? Spin-off? 3D Blu-ray movie? It's anyone's guess.) The icon itself is thought to be representative of the Spartan army's shield; the upside-down "V" being the Greek letter Lamba, standing for "Lacedaemon" (what the ancient Greeks called Sparta).

So who is this mystery man? He certainly looks like he could be angry. And anger has always fueled this franchise, which still has some venting to do.

[Thanks, Geoff]

People of the Blog of PlayStation,

The purpose of this post is two-fold:

We wish to remind you of and/or inform you of the existence of our upcoming RPG epic, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable for the PSP. We would like to bring to your attention the below pre-order bonus for Persona 3 Portable (only at participating retailers, only while supplies last)

“What is it?” you ask? Why, it’s a lovely collectible (and wearable, fortunately) cap modeled after the one worn by popular character Junpei Iori, Gekkoukan High School’s bantering, jabbering class clown.

Not familiar with him? Or the game, perhaps? That’s where this post comes in.

SMT: Persona 3 Portable is the handheld version of one of the highest-rated, meatiest RPGs of all time. “What’s so special about it?” you ask as you click around multiple tabs in your web browser. Persona 3’s unique dichotomy of social sim and dungeon crawling elements shakes the genre to its core, offering a constantly refreshing blend of character development, sharp writing, a powerful narrative, and ultra fast-paced turn-based combat in the many varying levels of Tartarus.

Let’s face this enemy! (get it?)

In an interesting twist, the bonds you share with your friends are the source of your strength in battle. As your relationships, called “Social Links,” are increased and ultimately maxed out, you will unlock new abilities and grow much stronger when engaged in combat. The game is full of options in terms of whom you can befriend and/or choose to spend your time with, meaning that maxing out all your social links becomes a very tough, very satisfying challenge. The game is full of contrasts, which is most apparent in the disparity between the action of Tartarus versus the joys of spending time with friends.

The PSP system release of P3P offers the most refined, improved version of the game to date. In addition to new content, functionality and features, like faster load times, one-button menu shortcuts, streamlined team equipment changes, and part-time jobs, P3P also adds a new playable female protagonist.

Pretty in pink.

Playing through the game as this new character, series fans will notice a number of new and different dialogue (and since the original voice cast is intact, they’ll all sound exactly as they should). Other content additions include new social links, special events, and new romantic opportunities.

Look out, ladies/gentlemen! (depending on your choice of character, of course)

Already spent dozens of hours in the world of Persona 3? Now you’ve got reason to dive back in and experience it all over again.

And now you’ve got a reason to pre-order it, too. The Junpei Baseball Cap pre-order bonus promotion is exclusive to GameStop/EB Games (in stores and online in North America and Canada), Amazon.com, and Amazon.ca, and only while supplies last, so reserve your copy (and your collectible hat) today!

For more info, visit atlus.com/p3p, and be sure to look for SMT: Persona 3 Portable to land in stores and on the PlayStation Store on July 6th, 2010, exclusively for the PSP.

A step-by-step guide to get your games upgraded and running.

There's no indication of Nintendo localizing its DS hit Tomodachi Collection, in which you interact with a house full of your Miis as well as celebrity guest Miis. But its dominance in the Japanese market has reached a ridiculous high: it's being spun off into a TV show.

"Koi no Kaitou?! Tomokore no Ni-se" (Love's Answer?! Tomodachi Collection Second Generation) stars three young girls with famous parents, who talk about relationships with a guest "second generation talent." They also make a Mii for the guest and have their Miis take part in Tomodachi Collection-related activities like singing together in-game.

This scintillating programming will be on Japan's Tokyo MX channel starting May 6.

[Via Famitsu, Andriasang]

Game modes and playlists will be added on different days.

#mma With one day until the early demo release for UFC Undisputed 2010, and about a month until the title hits the shelves, the game's full lineup has been revealed, adding more than 30 fighters since last year's edition. More »

#spaceinvaders Taito and silverware maker Christofle have buddied up to offer the Space Invaders fan a chance to express their love of the 1978 shoot 'em up in style. Meet the multi-use silver Space Invader "fashion accessory," coming soon. More »

#clips Did you find the first Halo: Reach live action spot a little shorter than expected? Would you prefer two extra minutes worth of the making of a Spartan III soldier? Well, here you go. More »

You knew that Pokemon would have to make it on this list. You can’t have a cartoon that blasts out a seizure-inducing episode and not call it controversial! Thankfully, that was the one and only episode that aired with such negative side-effects. Full list here

Former Xbox 360 third-party memory card manufacturer Datel is free to pursue its antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft, as a federal judge dismisses the console maker's attempts to have the case thrown out. More »

Click and Enlarge: Gallery Experience
For some, Sin & Punishment 2 is of known quality. Released last year in Japan for the Wii, hardcore gamers have already experienced Treasure's latest. Thankfully, for the rest of us, we don't have to rely on imports -- Nintendo of America is finally (and slowly) bringing the franchise Stateside.

Although its N64 predecessor found release on the Virtual Console, it's likely that the Wii audience is completely unfamiliar to the franchise. Certainly, the Wii doesn't feel like it should be home to such a niche game from a "hardcore" developer like Treasure. Featuring an onslaught of endless enemies, and a relentless torrent of bullets filling the screen, Star Successor doesn't even attempt to console casual gamers. In fact, moving to the Wii has allowed Treasure to expand the gameplay to the point where Star Successor feels like the game Sin & Punishment was always meant to be.

Kaigler joins studio as chief marketing officer.

Two more Time Attack stages and an all-new mode have finally arrived.

This Space Invaders charm is made by Fine silverware designer Christofle, and it will only cost you $131 when released! I think I’ll be passing on this one.

Greetings, fellow meat-creatures! I am the localization editor for Aksys Games’s release of Record of Agarest War, and I have come here today to talk to you about that very game, which is coming to the PlayStation Store this Thursday, April 29.

You may have had a chance to peruse some of our marketing materials regarding Agarest. You haven’t? Oh my. Well, in polite company, I would say that they play up the relationship aspect of the game. To elaborate somewhat, Agarest gives you, the PS3 player, the reasonably unique experience of playing through five generations of fathers and sons. Your in-game decisions – tactical, moral, and romantic – will determine the abilities and strengths of your offspring, which characters will join your party, and ultimately, the very fate of your world!

But perhaps a dating sim (and genetic simulator) doesn’t tickle your fancy. As a strategy role-playing game, Agarest is, in many ways, defined by its battle system. I could use all sorts of large, important words–words like “nuance”, or “multifaceted”, or “ham”–to explain its intricacies to you, but this is the Age of Information, and that means videos! Everyone likes videos. We have included one, in which an incredibly handsome and shockingly intelligent narrator explains some of Agarest’s basic battle concepts to you. Give it a watch!

Of course, even with a flawless strategy, you may find the game difficult–especially if you are insane enough to play on “Hard.” Fortunately, we have sought to alleviate such woes, and will be giving out a number of free DLC packages in the weeks following release. Free to everyone on the PlayStation Network, these tiny nuggets of digital joy will bring you everything from special weapons and armor, to items that improve your stats and abilities, to that most indispensible category of loot: restorative items. There will be DLC you can buy too, of course, but these ones are free!

So there you have it! Record of Agarest War has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a dating sim, a complex strategy-RPG, or hours upon hours of epic fantasy and political intrigue…or all of those things. Agarest will appear, in a burst of white light, on the PlayStation Network on April 29th. Be there, or be utterly unfulfilled for the rest of your life.

Idea Factory is giving Japanese Xbox 360 owners a slice of the married life with My Wife: A Bride Just For You. Siliconera notes the "game" allows players to make a custom wife -- choosing her "looks, voice and personality." Then players start their lives as newlyweds by answering love quizzes, sharing liquids from the same cup (still only one girl) and picking out swimwear.

My Wife expansion DLC will allegedly include voice packs to change your custom-made wife's voice during the marriage. Of course, before taking the plunge into married life -- virtual or otherwise -- we recommend watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (pictured) and The War of the Roses first.

If you're looking for Call of Duty news that isn't related to the Infinity Ward fiasco, you're in luck. This week's GameTrailers TV will feature a brand new teaser trailer that promises to "put all the rumors to rest." We already know that the next iteration of Activision's FPS franchise will be developed by World at War's Treyarch, but this week's GTTV should finally confirm the long-rumored Vietnam setting.

GTTV will air on SpikeTV on Friday night at 12:40AM. (And don't worry, we'll post details immediately after they air.) Check out a promo after the break.

#speakup This week in Speak-Up on Kotaku, Erwin, Culebra, Ursus-Veritas, and The Drunken Moogle talk that kiddie Yoshi's Story game, how cool Beetle Adventure Racing was, parents who think the worst, and delicious Mudkips. More »

#review Do Team Fortress 2, only set it in the Wild West. Looks simple on paper, but is it really that easy to copy Valve's successful formula for multiplayer shooters? More »