Most Recent: Xbox 360

Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 comes to every console this holiday

Posted on May 19, 2011 by John Scalzo

When WB Games announced the title of the first Lego Harry Potter as Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4, you know that a followup was inevitable. And now, on the cusp of the final movie, the publisher has officially announced Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7.

The game has been scheduled for release this holiday season, presumably alongside the Blu-ray/DVD release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II. As you might expect from a Harry Potter game, it’s in development for every platform imaginable: 3DS, DS, PC, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360 and Sony’s Next Generation Portable (NGP).

Once again developed by TT Games, Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 will feature all the magic found in The Boy Who Lived’s last years at Hogwarts:

Based on the last three Harry Potter books and final four films, Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 takes players through Harry Potter’s heroic adventures in the Muggle and wizarding worlds. From Privet Drive in Little Whinging to Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade and Hogwarts – plus new locations including Grimmauld Place, the Ministry of Magic, and Godric’s Hollow – players will encounter new faces, new challenges and new magic, preparing them for the ultimate face-off against Lord Voldemort.

Posted in 3DS, DS, News, PC, PS3, PSP, Vita, Wii, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Gears of War 3 becomes fastest pre-ordered title in Xbox 360 history

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Bret Morace

Major Nelson announced today that Gears of War 3 has become the fastest pre-ordered exclusive in Xbox 360 history. In real numbers, Microsoft confirmed the game has already surpassed one million pre-orders. Along with this information, Nelson released some stats about the recently completed Gears 3 beta.

Over the course of the beta’s four weeks, 1.29 million players played more than 11 million multiplayer matches. Wow. Here are some of the other stats provided by the Major:

  • 145 different countries participated in the beta
  • 249 years worth of matches played
  • More than 11 million matches completed
  • More than 927 million kills recorded
  • More than 131 million executions performed
  • More than 23 million deaths by chainsaw
  • Nearly 23 BILLION bullets fired
  • 4.9 billion ribbons and 291 million medals earned
  • 435,000 people earned the Beta exclusive Thrashball Cole skin
  • 234,000 people earned the Beta exclusive Gold Retro Lancer

Gears of War 3 will be released on September 20.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Valve is skipping E3 2011

Posted on May 18, 2011 by John Scalzo

Were you hoping that Valve would use E3 2011 to provide more news about Portal 2 DLC or Half-Life: Episode 3? Or perhaps you were holding out hope for a surprise announcement of Left 4 Dead 3?

Well, you can forget it.

The developer sent out an email today detailing their E3 plans. And in two short sentences, they confirmed they have no E3 plans because they won’t be attending the big show. The message reads in full:

Lots of folks have mailed asking about appointment times, etc., with Valve.

Well, we are not showing any titles at this year’s show. So no appointment is needed.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Yar’s Revenge Review: Float Like a Shameless Copy, Sting Like Sin & Punishment

Posted on May 18, 2011 by John Scalzo

Back when video games were played using a wood-paneled console on a wood-paneled TV (which you bought by driving to the store in your wood-paneled car), Yars’ Revenge was one of the most popular games available on the Atari 2600. While Yars’ Revenge was eventually overshadowed by other titles in the ensuing 30 years of gaming, Atari has decided to resurrect their once great game as a PC/XBLA game now titled Yar’s Revenge. (more…)

Posted in PC, Reviews, Top Story, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Modern Warfare 3 official site reporting for duty

Posted on May 18, 2011 by John Scalzo

Activision has launched the official website for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 at CallofDuty.com/mw3. The website is rather sparsely populated at the moment, but you can view the four teaser trailers that Infinity Ward released a few days ago.

Aside from the teasers, there’s also something interesting in the site’s footer: the Sledgehammer Games logo. I believe this is the first public acknowledgement that Sledgehammer Games lent a hand to the development of Modern Warfare 3.

These little bits of information are fun and all, but hopefully Activision has a big Call of Duty reveal coming soon.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Sega Rally Online Arcade added to XBLA

Posted on May 18, 2011 by John Scalzo

Microsoft has revealed today’s addition to the Xbox Live Arcade: Sega Rally Online Arcade.

The latest game in the dirt-caked series comes from racing specialists Sumo Digital and will set you back 800 Microsoft Points ($10). A PlayStation Network version is also planned, but obviously you’ll have to wait for the PlayStation Store to return before you can play it.

More details on Sega Rally Online Arcade can be found right here:

When was the last time you enjoyed getting dragged through the mud? Race through five different types of terrain in more rally-bred vehicles than a baker can shake his dozen at. Including the Ford Focus RS, the classic Lancia Delta Integrale and the ferocious Bowler Nemesis. Play through a slew of modes including Time Trials, Single Races, and Championship Events. Cut to the chase and face off online in a variety of 6 Player multiplayer racing events – isn’t it about time you showed your friends who’s numero uno?

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Netflix on video game consoles is the leading bandwidth usage in America

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

Independent researcher Sandvine has concluded that Netflix accounts for more downstream and overall bandwidth usage than all other sources, at 29.7 and 24.71 percent, respectively. Of all devices, video game consoles account for nearly two thirds of that figure, making Netflix usage on consoles alone accounting for 19.7% of all downstream usage. That’s bigger than the next highest usage – web pages.

The PlayStation 3 leads the pack in that figure, responsible for 30.57%. The Xbox 360 comes next, representing 24.94%, followed by PCs at 19.55%, while the Wii, with the highest install base of current gen consoles, comes in last with only 10.75%. Looks like someone may have been right about that whole closet/living room dichotomy.

One thing is for certain: game consoles are usurping cable providers. With the 3DS getting Netflix a later date and Sony’s NGP probably to do the same, expect this trend to continue in the future.

Posted in 3DS, Etcetera, News, PC, PS3, Vita, Wii, Xbox 360 |

MC Lars’ b-side collection 21 Concepts (featuring the Bayonetta song) now available

Posted on May 18, 2011 by John Scalzo

Nerdcore rapper extraordinaire, MC Lars, has released a new b-sides compilation today: 21 Concepts (But a Hit Ain’t One). The album is available in trusty compact disc format as well as digitally at leading online retailers such as Amazon and iTunes.

Sadly the album doesn’t contain the song titled “21 Concepts (But a Hit Ain’t One).” That track, which features an awesome sample of the “Type A” music from the Game Boy version of Tetris (which was itself just a reworking of the Russian folk song “Korobeiniki”), can be found on MC Lars’ first full-length disc, The Graduate. As you can tell, it was also the inspiration for the album’s cover (which actually features the correct width of a Tetris column, impressive Lars!).

However, it does contain the song “Reaping Beauty,” which was inspired by Platinum Games’ Bayonetta. MC Lars (along with special guests Beefy, Random and Tina Root) rap about Bayonetta’s killing skills and her resemblence to Tina Fey. Check out the full video for the song after the break. (more…)

Posted in Etcetera, News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged