Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Games Weather Report of Week 44, 2009
What are the best-selling games in America, Japan, and Europe this week? Thanks to Amazon online sales data here are the games that are the hottest right now. Think of it as a games weather report.
What follows is a listing of the Top 50 bestsellers per region, for all systems combined.
North America’s Top 50:
1. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Wii)
2. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
3. Limited-Edition Wii Sports Resort Bundle with Two Wii MotionPlus (Wii)
4. Mario Kart with Wii Wheel (Wii)
5. Wii Fit Plus (Wii)
6. Dragon Age: Origins (PC)
7. Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time (PS3)
8. Wii Sports Resort with Wii MotionPlus Accessory (Wii)
9. Borderlands (Xbox 360)
10. Dragon Age: Origins (Xbox 360)
11. The Beatles: Rock Band Special Value Edition (Wii)
12. Mario & Luigi Bowser’s Inside Story (DS)
13. Halo 3: ODST (Xbox 360)
14. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii)
15. Dragon Age: Origins (PS3)
16. Dragon Age: Origins Collector’s Edition (PC)
17. Rock Band 2 Special Edition (Wii)
18. Wii Play with Wii Remote (Wii)
19. FIFA Soccer 10 (PS3)
20. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Game of the Year (Xbox 360)
21. The Biggest Loser (Wii)
22. Scribblenauts (DS)
23. Mario Kart DS (DS)
24. Pro-Evolution Soccer 2010 (PS3)
25. Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360)
26. Toy Story Mania! (Wii)
27. The Beatles: Rock Band (Wii)
28. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Wii)
29. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
30. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune - Greatest Hits (PS3)
31. Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit for Wii Deluxe Kit (Wii)
32. Grand Theft Auto: Episode from Liberty City (Xbox 360)
33. Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box (DS)
34. Demon’s Souls (PS3)
35. Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey (Wii)
36. Lego Rock Band (Wii)
37. Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2010 with Gun Bundle (Wii)
38. Band Hero featuring Taylor Swift (Wii)
39. Tekken 6 (PS3)
40. FIFA Soccer 10 (Xbox 360)
41. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (DS)
42. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (DS)
43. Band Hero featuring Taylor Swift - Super Bundle (Wii)
44. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky (DS)
45. Dragon Age: Origins Collector’s Edition (Xbox 360)
46. EA Sports Active (Wii)
47. The Sims 3 (PC, Mac)
48. Madden NFL 10 (Xbox 360)
49. The Beatles: Rock Band Special Value Edition (PS3)
50. Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3)
Japan’s Top 50:
1. Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 (PS3)
2. Persona 3 Portable (PSP)
3. Steins; Gate - Limited Edition (Xbox 360)
4. Tomodachi [Friend/Mii] Collection (DS)
5. Pokemon SoulSilver Version (DS)
6. Wii Fit Plus (Wii)
7. Pokemon HeartGold Version (DS)
8. Love Plus (DS)
9. Bayonetta (Xbox 360)
10. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
11. Wii Fit Plus - Set with Wii Balance Board (Wii)
12. 3D Dot Game Heroes (PS3)
13. Infamous (PS3)
14. Bayonetta (PS3)
15. The 4 Warriors of Light: Final Fantasy Gaiden (DS)
16. Summon Set X: Tears Crown (DS)
17. Bayonetta - Special Edition with Rodin’s Selection Soundtrack (PS3)
18. Dragon Quest IX: Defenders of the Starry Sky (DS)
19. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii)
20. Wii Sports Resort including white Wii MotionPlus (Wii)
21. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune - The Best of PlayStation 3 (PS3)
22. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G - The Best of PSP Collection (PSP)
23. Fallout 3 - Platinum Collection (Xbox 360)
24. Dissidia: Final Fantasy (PSP)
25. Tekken 6 - Special Edition (PS3)
26. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey (DS)
27. More Prince of Prince of Tennis School Festival - More Sweet Edition (DS)
28. Rune Factory 3 (DS)
29. Gran Turismo (PSP)
30. Inazuma Eleven 2: The Threat of Aggression - Fire Edition (DS)
31. Tales of Vesperia (PS3)
32. Demon’s Souls (PS3)
33. Ragnarok Online RJC2009: Memorial Package (PC)
34. Monster Hunter Frontier Online Season 6.0 Premium Package (PC)
35. SimCity 4 Deluxe (PC)
36. Aikido Nobunaga’s Ambition (PC)
37. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition (PC)
38. Monster Hunter Frontier Online - Premium Package 2nd Year Anniversary (PC)
39. The Sims 3 (PC)
40. Resident Evil 5 (PC)
The rest of the Top 50 was rounded out by popular pre-orders:
41. Natural White Nintendo DSi XL handheld
42. Deep Brown Nintendo DSi XL handheld
43. Wine Red Nintendo DSi XL handheld
44. Phantasy Star Portable 2 - Amazon.co.jp exclusive edition with two special CD singles
45. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
46. Professor Layton and the Devil’s Flute (DS)
47. J. League Football Club Tsukurou! 6 Pride of J Zico - Only with Special Edition players get awards product code card
48. Tales of Graces - Special Edition including Tales dress costume download code and Tales DVD
49. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS)
50. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep (PSP)
Europe’s Top 50:
1. Wii Sports Resort with Wii MotionPlus Accessory (Wii)
2. Wii Fit Plus (Wii)
3. FIFA 10 (Xbox 360)
4. Mario Kart with Wii Wheel (Wii)
5. Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360)
6. Wii Play with Wii Remote Controller (Wii)
7. Dragon Age: Origins (PC)
8. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii)
9. Football Manager 2010 (PC, Mac)
10. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Wii)
11. Professor Layton and Pandora’s Box (DS)
12. FIFA 10 (PS3)
13. Halo 3: ODST (Xbox 360)
14. Dragon Age: Origins (Xbox 360)
15. Wii Fit (Wii)
16. Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City (Xbox 360)
17. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
18. Professor Layton and The Curious Village (DS)
19. Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force (DS)
20. Borderlands (Xbox 360)
21. Need For Speed: Shift (Xbox 360)
22. FIFA 10 (Wii)
23. Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Republic Heroes (Wii)
24. Ratchet & Clank: A Crack In Time (PS3)
25. Singstar: Take That (PS3)
26. Toy Story Mania (Wii)
27. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Wii)
28. EyePet - with Camera and Magic Card (PS3)
29. Singstar: Take That (PS2)
30. UP (DS)
31. Tekken 6 (PS3)
32. Need For Speed: Shift (PS3)
33. Junior Brain Trainer DS (DS)
34. Killzone 2 - Platinum Edition (PS3)
35. Nintendo Presents: Style Boutique (DS)
36. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (DS)
37. The Sims 3 (PC, Mac)
38. Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 (PS3)
39. WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2010 (Xbox 360)
40. Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 (PS2)
41. LittleBigPlanet (PS3)
42. Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? (DS)
43. Peppa Pig: The Game (DS)
44. Mario Kart DS (DS)
45. EA Sports Active: Personal Trainer (Wii)
46. FIFA 10 (PSP)
47. FIFA 10 (PS2)
48. Ashes Cricket 09 (Wii)
49. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
50. Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3)
To recap the top games per system: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves rushes in at #1 on the PS3 chart. Borderlands remains on top of the Xbox 360 chart. Wii Sports Resort is back in first place on the Wii chart. Dragon Age: Origins debuts up high on the PC chart. Mario & Luigi Bowser’s Inside Story returns on top of the DS chart. Madden NFL 10 remains on the PS2 chart. And lastly, Dissidia Final Fantasy finishes first on the PSP chart.
Sales data collected from Amazon’s US, JPN (PC) & UK / DE / FR websites.
PS: Since everyone keeps asking, her name is Mayte Carranco.
No comments »On PlayStation Network this week: Gex, Military Madness: Nectaris, Numblast
Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) announced what new PlayStation Network downloadable games, expansions, demos and videos were released for PlayStation 3 and PSP this week in America and Europe.
AMERICAN PlayStation Store for PS3
Qore
Qore Episode 18: November 2009 ($2.99)
Episode 18 of Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network gets creative with ModNation Racers, goes behind the scenes at ILM and takes a closer look at Star Trek on Blu-ray, and revisits the world of Assassin’s Creed II. — File size: 1.63 GB
Qore Annual Subscription: November 2009 ($24.99)
Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network is a high-definition monthly interactive video production covering the world of PlayStation. Qore provides its audience with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to upcoming titles from both the SCE Worldwide Studios and third-party developers across the globe.
File size: 1.63 GB
Updates
* Mercury Bundle 2 Sale – Includes Archer Maclean’s Mercury and Mercury Meltdown (now $9.99)
This is Shane Bettenhausen from Ignition Entertainment with a quick heads-up about a killer PlayStation Store promotion that kicks off today. For a limited time, you’ll be able to snag two great PSP games–the classic Archer Maclean’s Mercury and its supercharged sequel, Mercury Meltdown—for the shockingly low total of only $9.99. Check out this video!
* TV Show King Price Drop (now $6.99)
* X-Men Origins: Wolverine Weapon X Arena Pack Price Drop (now $4.99)
Downloadable Games
Military Madness: Nectaris ($9.99)
The Military is back for a new generation of recruits! The classic turn-based strategy series Military Madness, a.k.a. Nectaris, is exploding onto PlayStation Network. With an all-new graphical barrage, an all-new commander unit, online team and vs. multiplayer, and a platoon of other new features, this is the maddest game in the series yet! — ESRB Rated E10+, File size: 95 MB
Numblast ($4.99)
Prepare yourself for a number puzzle game that’s easy to play, totally addictive and laced with dreamlike, surreal undertones: are you ready for Numblast? — ESRB Rated E, File size: 330 MB
PSone Classics: PS3/PSP
Gex ($5.99)
Gex, the lovable couch-potato lizard, has been sucked into the wild worlds of the media dimensions! Help him escape in this classic side-scroller from Crystal Dynamics. — ESRB Rated E, File size: 121 MB
Game Demos (free) Article continues »
Angry Video Game Nerd reviews Castlevania 4, Dracula X, Castlevania 64
This is the 81st in a series of reviews of bad video games by the Angry Video Game Nerd. Watch as the Angry Nerd reviews the Castlevania game sequels as the franchise moves from 2D into 3D. The first game is easily available nowadays for $8 on the Wii’s Virtual Console download service, while the second game mentioned has been ported, as well as remade, for the PSP.
This time he encounters the Super NES and Nintendo 64 continuations of Konami’s Castlevania series:
It’s time to look at a SNES classic — and a game that’s not, exactly. As always, coarse language ahead.
Dragon Age Origins codes and cheats (PC)
Looking for Dragon Age: Origins cheat codes for the PC version of the game? Below you will find a list of the console command cheat codes for this epic RPG from developer BioWare.
CHEAT CODES
In order to enable the cheat codes console, you must do the following.
1. Make a shortcut to your desktop of “daorigins.exe” (Dragon Age/bin_ship/daorigins.exe).
2. Bring up shortcut properties.
3. Under “Target” add the following: -enabledeveloperconsole (after — “daorigins.exe” ).
4. Now go into the keybindings.ini file, which should be located in “My Documents\BioWare\Dragon Age\Settings\”.
5. Find the line “OpenConsole_0=Keyboard::Button_X” (GRAVE is default, change X to any button that is not already used in the game.)
6. Save the file.
7. Start the game with the shortcut you created on your desktop (daorigins.exe - shortcut).
8. In-game, you press the key that you have chosen and then type any of the codes below.
9. These codes may not work in the Steam version. And you also may not see the console or be able to see what you are typing, which isn’t unusual.
Here are the cheat codes for Dragon Age: Origins on PC:
1. Type: runscript zz_addparty NPCname - Add party member by name
2. Type: runscript zz_addapproval X YY - Add to a companion approval rating, X = companion, YY = Amount
3. Type: runscript zz_addparty - Allows player to break the party companion limit
4. Type: runscript pc_immortal - God Mode. (You will still take damage, but will not die.)
5. Type: runscript healplayer - Heals player/party
6. Type: runscript killallhostiles - Kills all hositle creatures in area.
7. Type: runscript chargen - Origin screen
8. Type: runscript selectparty - Party select screen
9. Type: runscript zz_dropparty - Removes entire party
10. Type: runscript zz_talk_nearest - Talk to nearest NPC
11. Type: runscript zz_pre_strategy - Teleports player and party to Duncan’s fire in Ostagar
12. Type: runscript zz_pre_demo2 - Teleports player and party to Ostagar
13. Type: runscript ai off - Turns off AI
14. Type: runscript zz_money X - X is the amount of Copper you wish to add. 1000 is 1 Gold.
15. Type: runscript addxp X - X is the amount of XP you wish to add.
And don’t forget to check out our Dragon Age: Origins characters list and our Dragon Age: Origins wallpaper page.
Halo 3 wallpapers
Welcome to our Halo 3 wallpapers page!
The Master Chief returns on the Xbox 360! Here we will post images that you can use as desktop wallpapers, both official and otherwise. We will add to this list as we find cool new wallpapers for the game.
To download to your PC computer: Right click on the Image. Select “Set as Background Image.”
To download to your Mac computer: Click Image to Download to Desktop. Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences. Click Desktop & Screen Saver. Click “Choose Folder…”.
Below you can find the rest of the Halo 3 wallpapers.
Click on each thumbnail for the wallpaper size image to pop up.
Halo 2 wallpaper
Welcome to our Halo 2 wallpapers page!
The Master Chief was propelled to new heights of fame in this second game in the Halo series for the original Xbox1. Here we will post images that you can use as desktop wallpapers, both official and otherwise. We will add to this list as we find cool new wallpapers for the game.
To download to your PC computer: Right click on the Image. Select “Set as Background Image.”
To download to your Mac computer: Click Image to Download to Desktop. Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences. Click Desktop & Screen Saver. Click “Choose Folder…”.
Below you can find the rest of the Halo 2 wallpapers.
Click on each thumbnail for the wallpaper size image to pop up.
The Saboteur in-depth look by developers
The Saboteur is shaping up to be a pretty interesting open-world style action game with a unique art story, story, style and aesthetic that hasn’t really been done before.
In this Giant Bomb Quick Look, the developers take you in-depth on the game as they demonstrate it, showing off the gameplay, the moves that you will have at your disposal to take out the Nazis, how the art style plays into the game. And much more.
I must say that this game looks pretty interesting, and I’m not a fan of open-world games. Here’s the Quick Look thanks to Giant Bomb. The game will be released on December 8, 2009 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey announced for DS release in 2010
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey is coming to America announced Atlus. It will be released in Spring of 2010.
“Within our own world, a new frontier awaits…” Strange Journey is a first-person perspective “science-fiction RPG” that takes place in the critically acclaimed Shin Megami Tensei universe. In Japan the game has gotten the highest review scores yet for a Shin Megami Tensei game, earning a score of 10/9/9/8 from the magazine.
Atlus calls this new game “a startlingly original entry” in the series that takes the heralded RPG franchise to “exciting new frontiers.”
Here is how the press release describes the game:
In the near future, a mysterious, growing, black void appears at the Earth’s southern pole. Unable to determine its cause and powerless to stop its deadly encroachment, humanity sends an elite team of explorers into the heart of the phenomenon, just as Strange Journey’s look and feel represent a return to the heart of Shin Megami Tensei, bringing to mind the all-time classic Nocturne. With over 300 demons to bribe, coerce, and negotiate with to gain assistance in battle, Strange Journey is every bit the deep, rewarding RPG experience fans have come to expect from the SMT franchise, yet delivered with a fresh new sci-fi story that taps into mature themes of morality and introspection.
Here’s a trailer of the Japanese version.
Halo Waypoint for Xbox Live up now along with Halo Legends preview episode
The Halo Waypoint Xbox Live destination is now live and freely accessible to all Xbox Live users, both Silver and Gold. However it will become a Gold-member exclusive starting on November 26, 2009.
In order to access Halo Waypoint, you’ll need to download it first and it takes up 113.8MB of space. Once installed, you’ll have access to this all-new section (channel) of Xbox Live that is completely devoted to the Halo franchise.
Here is what you can do with Halo Waypoint:
* Access the Intel section. Here you can browse information on the entire Halo universe. This includes all previous released games and even non-game-related Halo information such as info on the Halo Legends anime project.
* You can check out a sneak preview episode of Halo Legends (which releaes on February 9, 2010). Called “The Babysitter”, this anime short was created by Studio 4-C (Tekkon Kinkreet), follows a Spartan accompanying an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST) squad on a mission to assassinate a Covenant Prophet.
* You can follow your “Halo career” which tracks your progress through all of the Halo games via Achievements. It then “converts them into an overall ranking and recognition system” called Halo Career.
* You may get rewarded for your Halo Career depending on your ranking. This comes in the form of “Waypoint Milestones”. These milestones are reached and unlocked as Waypoint specific Achievements as you increase your rank in your Halo Career (i.e., play previous Halo games and earn Achievements). You can also be awarded Avatar clothes and accessories depending on your Halo Career rank. In fact, just for signing up you’ll receive a Forerunner Monitor avatar prop.
The Halo Waypoint promises to have daily-updates with exclusives and rewards, so it’s definitely in your interest to check the channel out if you have an Xbox 360.
Weekend Video Game Sales Mass Effect half-off on Steam, GoGamer madness
Time to let you know about this weekends videogame sales!
As always, Steam has an awesome new deal for PC users this weekend. Where you can download Mass Effect for 50% off on Steam. That means you can get BioWare’s hit sci-fi RPG for a measley ten bucks!
About Mass Effect
As Commander Shepard, you lead an elite squad on a heroic, action-packed adventure throughout the galaxy. Discover the imminent danger from an ancient threat and battle the traitorous Saren and his deadly army to save civilization. The fate of all life depends on your actions!
Key features include:
* 2007 New York Times Game of the Year.
* A Stunning universe with high resolution graphics and textures.
* Controls and interface optimized for PC gamers.
* Includes free additional content — face off against the horrific Batarians.
* Customize your character and embark on a pulse-pounding adventure in an immersive open-ended storyline.
* Incredible real-time character interaction.
* Thrilling, tactical combat as you lead an elite squad of three.
* Interplanetary exploration of an epic proportion.
Next up is the GoGamer Madness Sale which has all kinds of games for reduced prices and free shipping if you spend over $75 dollars while using the coupon code “madness”. The following sale stretches until November 9th (this coming Monday).
Here are the GoGamer Madness game sales
F.E.A.R Files (Xbox 360) - $9.90
Eat Lead: Return of Matt Hazard (Xbox 360) - $9.90
Conan (Xbox 360) - $9.90
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Xbox 360) - $9.90
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City (Xbox 360) - $32.90
Tekken 6 (Xbox 360) - $48.90
Brutal Legend (Xbox 360) - $46.90
Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection (Pre-Order) (Xbox 360) - $16.90
Dragon Age: Origins (Xbox 360) - $52.90
Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360) - $52.90
Dragon Age: Origins (PS3) - $52.90
Demon’s Souls (PS3) - $52.90
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time (PS3) - $54.90
Tekken 6 (PS3) - $48.90
Borderlands (PS3) - $49.90
FIFA Manager 10 (I) (PC) - $44.90
Football Manager 2010 (I) (PC) - $34.90
rFactor (PC) - $19.90
Race On (PC) - $22.90
HALO: Combat Evolved (I) (PC) - $12.90
Red Faction: Guerrilla (PC) - $27.90
Dragon Age: Origins (PC) - $42.90
Borderlands (PC) - $36.90
Age of Empires III: Complete Collection (I) (PC) - $39.90
Civilization 4: Complete (I) (PC) - $11.90
Order of War (PC) - $29.90
Fallout 3: Game of the Year (PC) - $39.90
DCS: Black Shark (PC) - $29.90
