New Game Releases for Tuesday July 26th ‘11

Hey kids, it's that time again, "new game" Tuesday. This week's offerings find themselves more in the way of awkward than anything else. If you've been waiting to play remakes of 80's classics in 3D your in luck. On the other extreme, guy's like the one pictured above have been waiting to either play games where they can cheat on their girlfriend or be their girlfriend... either way it's a win, win I guess.

Tekken Bowl on IOS Scores a Nostalgic Spare

Original fans of the Playstation 2 will remember that one of the three launch titles for Sony's "then-gen" system was Tekken Tag Tournament. Another throwback to that day and age was the lovable Tekken Bowling mini game that was also included with the title. It comes as a nice surprise to find that over the weekend Namco Bandai pulled on our nostalgic heartstrings by releasing Tekken Bowl on the Apple IOS marketplace. Keep reading to find out if Tekken Bowl scores a turkey or ends up destined for the mobile gaming gutter.

Gears of War 3 Retro Lancer back up for pre-order

Just a quick heads up to all the Gears heads out there. This weekend Gamestop reopened the listing for the Gears of War 3 Retro Lancer. The hulking replica Cog issue armament will set you back $99.99. Seriously though, what's a hundred bucks when confronted up against the Locust horde? The replica is set to launch alongside the game this September. Enthusiasts would be wise to get down to their local Gamestop to reserve themselves a lancer as there's no telling when the cut off could be. For anyone wondering exactly how big this bad boy is, here's our buddy BluisTheFett sporting said lancer at the Gears booth during ComicCon. C'mon guys, you can't NOT look like a bad ass holding this thing. 

Available exclusively at Gamestop (The Lancer not Blue)

Star Wars Old Republic is now within Firing Range

The Jedi train was in full motion today. First, the announcement of the Kinect Star Wars Xbox 360 bundle, and earlier today local Retailers began taking reservations for Star Wars Old Republic Online. Early emails from Gamestop informed me of the ability to force push your way into either the regular or collectors edition, which are both slated for first quarter 2012. The limited edition of the game will come with the standard metal case, the standard soundtrack, an actual map, the Journal of Master Gnost-Dural, an in game collectors edition store and a statue of Dath Malgus. On top of all the sweet Star Wars swag, early reservies (if that's not a word, it is now) will be given a code to download the game a week early along with a crystal that enables player to switch their light saber color. So what are you waiting for? Grab your wookie, get in your falcon, and fly yourself down to your local Gamestop to ensure yourself a piece of the Star Wars pie before it's too late. 

Star Wars and Xbox Fans have now become one with the Force

Comic-Con has always been a place where all sorts of tech/comic nerds (and I use that lovingly as I fall into both categories) can get together and rant for hours endlessly over who shot first, Greedo or Han. Knowing this, Microsoft found it only appropriate to unveil their Star Wars Kinect Xbox 360 bundle at this event. The limited edition system will come packed with Kinect Star wars, a 320g hard drive, an R2D2 themed console, a gold C3PO controller, and to top it all off, the console will make R2D2 themed sounds. Also ensuring that your special edition system is dressed to impress, Microsoft took a note from the house of Apple products and fashioned the Kinect sensor in white. So have no fear padawan, you won't have to search a galaxy far, far away to get a hold of this system will be in a Gamestop near you this fall.

Halo Anniversary Pre-Order bonuses Revealed

Thanks to a tweet yesterday by some guy named Larry Hyrb/MajorNelson, we now know what goodies will be available for pre-ordering Halo Anniversary this fall. Oh, you didn't know about Halo Anniversary at all? Well. Uhm... this is awkward... Jump past the break and I'll fill you in.

New Game Releases for Tuesday July 16th ‘11

Never mind the games that are coming out today. Isn't this just the cutest little gamer cat you've ever seen? He doesn't care about litter boxes, mice, or smurfs (just like us). Little gamer cat doesn't even mind playing bad games; he just wants the chance to play. Ok little gamer cat, go and be happy with today's new releases. If however, you absolutely must play something new today, at least let it be Captain America because you can always blame that on the movie hype.

A Gamers Perspective on Alice: Madness Returns

Article by Bryan "The Wolf" Brennan


This game... where to begin. Amazing. Outstanding. Creative. Disturbing. Immersive. Massive. Alice: The Madness Returns in my opinion is one of the best games I've ever played. For those who don't know, this particular "brand" of Alice in Wonderland is nothing like the Disney movie. It shares more in common with the book then the animated film. But enough about Disney, lets get back to the game itself. There are six chapters and with the exception of Chapter six, can take hours to play. If you want to take the time to look around and figure things out, you can spend even more time looking down the rabbit hole. 

 With a steady change of scenery, enemies and characters, the gameplay and story never really get dull. There's always something to fight or a puzzle to solve. It never really loses momentum. Now don't get me wrong, it is a hack and slash with some puzzle solving thrown in and a vast world to explore, but that never makes the experience feel hollow. I simply could not get enough of this game. By the way, if you're a score whore, the achievements are relatively simple too.
Also for an additional $10 or 800 Microsoft points you can purchase the original game, which has six achievements attached to it. 

Now for the breakdown.

Graphics: Amazing. It can be a little choppy at certain points, but overall the visual spectacle of it all is simply mind blowing.

Gameplay: Fantastic. There's never a dull moment. Wonderland always has something to fight or a puzzle to solve.

Story: An immersive story in an immersive world with some plot twists thrown in.

Re-play value: I played it twice but wanted to keep going.

Difficulty: I played through on normal but if you're an achievement junkie like me you'll want to beat it on Nightmare as well (which I did). Play through on normal first and collect as many Teeth as you can, then you'll have all your weapons upgraded fully by chapter five. Finally, play a new game on Nightmare and your upgraded weapons will carry over, essentially making Nightmare as easy as normal. Trust me, you won't get tired of it after the first play-through. Your only problem may be finding you way back through the looking glass.

Tags: GameTrailers.com, Alice: Madness Returns - E3 2011: Launch Trailer HD, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

The King of the Iron Fist Tournament goes to the big screen for a night

Most hardcore gamers know what Tekken is. For those that don't, it's a fighting game franchise developed by Namco that dates back to the original Playstation and even further back to the legend of arcade cabinets. The games are fast paced, reverse heavy, customizable and have a huge following in Japan. What most hardcore gamers don't know, is that this month an animated Tekken movie will debut in the United States for a single night. Jump past the break to see if the King of the Iron Fist Tournament can break into the big screen...

Your Netflix Bus Pass is about to Expire

Like most of you on the planet I've graduated from the prehistoric era of DVD rentals of brick and mortar safe houses, to the elegant yet less involved movie streaming and "snail mail" version of movie watching. I mean, let's face it, I'm a busy person just like you. I don't have time to drive, pick out movies, watch them AND return them. Jesus, I'm an American after all. I need me time. Knowing this is how most Americans choose to rent their movies the popular subscription service known as Netflix has chosen to redesign it's pricing policy. Continue reading to find out how not to get hosed...

What are you playing: New Releases for Tuesday July 12th

Today marks the release of NCAA College Football 12. A game Gandalf here clearly has no interest in. Thats not to say he can't summon his gryphon and fly on down to his local retailer on a quest for some loot. Go ahead man, scoop up some party members with an airship and see what epic epicness awaits you at GameStopopia or Walamarthara or... ok you get it. Now you do one.

Nintendo DS
Harry Potter: Deathly Hollows 2

Nintendo Wii 
Harry Potter: Deathly Hollows 2
UFC Trainer

PC
Elder Scrolls Oblivion Fifth Anniversary Edition
Harry Potter: Deathly Hollows 2

Playstation 3
Elder Scrolls Oblivion Fifth Anniversary Edition
Harry Potter: Deathly Hollows 2
NCAA College Football 12

Xbox 360

Elder Scrolls Oblivion Fifth Anniversary Edition
Harry Potter: Deathly Hollows 2

NCAA College Football 12

Gears of War 3 Pre-Order Bonuses

I know, I know, you're tired of me talking about Gears 3. I get it. Unfortunately for you, I'm not stopping anytime soon. As long as there are things you should know about, my fingers will keep typing things for you to read about; your welcome. Now without any further delay, the Gears of War 3 reserve premiums...

FANVID: Call of Duty Black Ops Quick Scope

For those of you out there enjoying your killstreaks in Call of Duty Black Ops I have a special, user submitted video to share with you. This video came in over the weekend via Xbox LIVE Gamertag iFATALFLAWW.  Skip forward to enjoy a little morning montage with your coffee...

What are you playing: New Releases for Tuesday July 5th.

You'd be crying too if you got to your local video game retailer too looking for something new and interesting to play today. You can definitely tell it's summer by the lack of quality games to play. For all of the loyal enthusiasts' you got Earth Defense Force a couple days early so good for you. For everybody else, enjoy both Resistance one and two... only for a lot cheaper than you paid the first time. Sigh, its ok Peach, let it out, we understand.

Playstation 3
Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon (early weekend release)
Resistance Fall of Man (Double pack)

XBOX 360
Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon (early weekend release)

Uncle Sam Doesn't know Jack

Sorry about the late post but I was busy being American today. However, if you'd like to test your knowledge of all things commercial... er... American, then don't forget to pop in your copy of You Don't Know Jack to unlock the Turncoat achievement. Because you know, nothing say's un-American like sitting on your couch staring at the boob tube.

Oh Gears, Original Gangster.

It's no secret by now to anyone that the legendary rapper Ice-T has been at the forefront of the celebrity hype train for Gears of War 3. It's not even big news that he's actually going to be in the game itself as a stranded named Aaron Griffin. What is news, is this video showing exactly how how Ice-T runs things on Serra. Hmmm... apparently Ice-T lied to us when he told us he wasn't a Superhero in '91. Enjoy.  

Gears of war 3 Horde Mode 2.0 is a gross understatement.

Many a time you'll pick up a sequel to one of your favorite gaming franchises and expect that the designers tweak the game enough to make it feel fresh and new while still retaining the charm that got you into that relationship to begin with. I'd love to tell you that the folks over at Epic games did just that for Gears of War's upgraded Horde mode...but I'd be lying. What they've actually done is given you a reason to fall in love with Gears of War all over again. Read past the break to find out about all the wonderful ways you'll be able to rip Locust hearts out...