The new BurgerTime experience introduces fresh and meaty additions to the re-imagined franchise. For the very first time, BurgerTime will feature platforming elements, boss characters, and local and online multiplayer to spice up this classic favorite. Loyal BurgerTime fans are also rewarded with a DLC download for a delicious BurgerTime World Tour dashboard theme now available for free on Xbox® LIVE Marketplace. BurgerTime World Tour is being served worldwide at the low price of 800 Microsoft Points.

BurgerTime World Tour stars renowned burger chef Peter Pepper as he travels the globe challenging chefs from the world capitals of cuisine. True to his retro roots, Peter Pepper will be tasked with building enormous burgers while running away from wacky food-gone-wild enemies such as Frank Furter the Sausage, Sonny the Egg, and new enemies such as Habba De Niro, the Habanero Pepper. Peter Pepper will need to overcome new obstacles such as giant chasms, wall spikes and hungry bosses to strategically find the fastest way to put together each burger.  And with 50 sizzling levels, BurgerTime has never been meatier.

Now with split-screen and online multiplayer over Xbox® LIVE, BurgerTime World Tour is the first game in franchise history to finally combine massive burger-making and friendly competition. The retro revamp also features various playable chefs and the ability to play as your Xbox® LIVE Avatar.  Fresh additions to the gameplay menu include new customizable multiplayer modes, Burger Battle and Rocket Race. The all-new rocket pack power-up will easily scale level environments, allowing up to four players to get their puzzle-platforming fix. More new twists include the ability to throw both enemies and players.  Surely a food fight will ensue as players rush to assemble burgers with various ingredients for bonus points.

The release of BurgerTime World Tour marks 29 years since the original BurgerTime arcade game was released in 1982. A beloved classic that quickly earned the label as one of the best arcade games of all time, BurgerTime became popular within the competitive gaming community. BurgerTime World Tour adds a ranked online leaderboard for players who enjoy competing to become the world’s greatest BurgerTime chef.

BurgerTime World Tour is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is now available for worldwide download on Xbox® LIVE Arcade, at the low price of 800 Microsoft Points. A trial version of the game is also available for free download on Xbox® LIVE Arcade.

For more information on BurgerTime World Tour visit www.burgertimeworldtour.com.

The most popular devices are not simply designed for playing games on, although that is of course their primary purpose, but with enhanced multimedia functions like video and music support and web browsing, you have a powerful all-in-one device.

Console graphics have never appeared quite as real as they do right now and along with better video output and improved multimedia functionality, with a stronger emphasis on social media and interactive gameplay, we can pack those board games away forever as video games have never looked so welcoming.

It is the latest Nintendo Dsi that has most recently been grabbing the headlines, due mainly to it’s basic 3D qualities that allow users to play games on an adjustable 3 Dimensional screen without the need for special glasses.

Being portable the previous model Nintendo Dsi has become particularly popular with both the younger generation of school children as well as the older Saga generation, due mainly to its advertising campaigns to keep the brain active.

However it is the Microsoft Xbox, Sony Playstation and Nintendo Wii that you will find in most households, a stand alone gaming console that can connect to the internet, play DVD’s or Blu ray Discs as well as offering unlimited interactive gaming facilities.

For first time purchasers choosing one machine from the three top sellers will often come down to either price, peer pressure or a particular game availability, as with the Wii Fit for instance.

Unless you are pre ordering the latest yet to be released device, the likliehood is that shopping around the major outlets will get you a cut price machine with a bundle of free games or goodies thrown in. This is particular true once a new generation machine has been announced and the market needs to clear it’s current stocks.

While I can think of a few addicted gamer friends who own more than one video gaming console, the general truth is that there is an awful lot of brand loyalty shown by gamers, so be sure to compare the systems on the market before deciding which suits your needs the best.

Happy gaming!

Mass Effect 3

Building on the two previous editions, Commander Shepard is back to save the universe, and this time the fight has been taken to the human home world of Earth. With the Reaper’s preparing to attack in the past two titles, they finally arrive in stunning force in Mass Effect 3. Whilst a major final mission to save the galaxy is set to unfold, there is no doubt that the role playing actions of previous games will be at the very heart of the action. How will the decisions taken in Mass Effect 1 and 2 affect Commander Shepard’s team on their final assault? Which faces from the past will comes to Shepard’s aid? And just who will survive the final encounter with the Reapers?

Dead Space 2

After engineer Isaac Clarke’s first encounter with terrifying aliens as he fought to return an ancient artefact to its original planet, comes a sequel which will have gamers thrilled. Waking from a coma, Clarke is plagued by dementia, haunted by horrendous visions, and on the run from the government. Lost in ‘The Sprawl’, a huge space city, Clarke will have to battle Necromorphs once again, as he struggles to survive.

Batman: Arkham City

Following on from the huge success of Batman: Arkham Asylum, the much loved super hero is back in this new and highly anticipated sequel. A year after Batman battled his way through the asylum, Quincy Sharp has gained notoriety and become the mayor of Gotham City, bringing his prisoners with him and allowing them free reign throughout the streets. Ever watchful Batman oversees proceedings to make sure that they don’t get out of hand, whilst also discovering what Hugo Strange is up to. With a plot to execute Catwoman becoming apparent, the Caped Crusader once again takes to the streets to stop the killing.

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

Another finale to a trilogy, 2011 sees the return of Uncharted and its leading hero Nathan Drake. With absolutely stunning effects the wow factor of this game is truly in the game play, with the thrilling action unfolding as Drake and Victor Sullivan go in search of the ‘Atlantis of the Sands’. However, in usual Uncharted fashion, things soon start to interfere with their plans and before long the pair are thrust into a fight for survival.

With all four titles highly anticipated by gamers around the planet, individuals will be keen to get their hands on them as soon as possible. Available from a range of retailers including Littlewoods, discount vouchers can often be found online. And with a number of Littlewoods discount codes likely to be available, gamers will be able to get their games whilst saving a penny or two.

Hydro Hurricane Thunder screenshot

Microsoft Game Studios and developer Vector Unit will launch the Xbox Live Arcade sequel to the legendary Midway speedboat racing arcade game, Hydro Thunder Hurricane on July 28th as part of the Xbox Live’s Summer of Arcade promotion.

Hydro Thunder Hurricane is the first official sequel to the classic Midway hit Hydro Thunder, which splashed into arcades and consoles over 10 years ago.  Rather than simply recreate the original game with updated graphics, Vector Unit has delivered an all-new game engine for the sequel, with gorgeous HD visuals and amazing dynamic water physics.

Fans will recognize favorite speedboats from the original Hydro Thunder: Razorback, Damn the Torpedoes, Tidal Blade, Rad Hazard and others return with beautifully redesigned models, multiple unlockable skins, and articulated boost animations with massive rockets folding out from hidden compartments.   Race tracks are all original, but packed with the kinds of shortcuts and spectacular surprises the series is known for.

The indie developer’s motto is ‘Big games in small packages,’ and their first game as a studio delivers on that promise.  The downloadable game features 8 all new interactive race tracks, new Single Player game modes, Xbox LIVE Leaderboard challenges, as well as robust multiplayer support for 8 players online, local split screen races with up to 4 players and a combination of split screen and online play.

Ralf Knoesel, Vector Unit’s Technical Director and the programming visionary behind Hydro Thunder Hurricane’s cutting-edge interactive water, said the team is thrilled to be included as part of the Summer of Arcade.

“We know there were a lot of quality titles vying to be a part of Summer of Arcade, and it’s really a testament to the team’s hard work and creative energy that HTH made the cut. Our goal with Hurricane was to deliver tons of new content with the kind of polish and depth you expect to find in a full retail game. It takes hours to unlock everything in the single player mode, and once you’ve done that you still have multiplayer, which I think is where the game really shines.”

Creative Director Mat Small added;

“The feedback from Hydro Thunder fans has been overwhelmingly positive.  When you put a controller into the hands of a hard core fan, and he nods and grins the first time he goes off some 800 foot jump or nails a shortcut and says something like ‘Oh yeah, this is how I remember it’ – that tells me we pulled it off.
On top of everything else, Hydro Thunder Hurricane  is perfect for Summer of Arcade.   What’s the first thing people think about when it’s summertime?  Sun, fun, splashing around in the water, driving a speedboat at 200 mph, jumping off gigantic cliffs, and dodging dinosaurs.  Right?”

Mmm Possibly.

If thats what summer means to you then visit Vector Unit for more information.

Hydro Thunder Hurricane will be released on July 28, 2010, exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade.  The game will sell for 1200 Microsoft Points.

Blade Kitten screenshot

Major videogame producer Atari have announced the upcoming European launch of Blade Kitten, the game based on the  comic book series by creator Steve Stamatiadis.

Developed by Krome Studios, Blade Kitten brings the world of bounty hunter Kit Ballard to life and will launch this September on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation Network, and Windows PC Download.

Blade Kitten marks the latest creation by Mr. Stamatiadis, the force behind the multi-million selling TY the Tasmanian Tiger series. In Blade Kitten, a prequel to the comics set three years prior; players are invited into the world of Hollow Wish where they take on the role of Kit Ballard, one of the best bounty hunters in the business.

With her pink hair and tail, Kit is part cat, part girl – and fully lethal.  As one of the last of her species, Kit commands her unique ‘Darque Blade’ hovering sword to defeat enemies.  Also along for the ride is Skiffy, Kit’s laid-back sidekick who lends a hand in collecting items, solving puzzles, and when needed, serves as Kit’s protector.

Blade Kitten goes beyond most downloadable titles to deliver a strong narrative, with high-quality cinematics, and a colourful, frenetic visual style, that lends to the pick-up-and-play arcade action.  Players will jump right in and easily begin exploring and fighting their way through 19 levels, including three exploration levels with Noot (a rideable alien mount).  Blade Kitten also features innovative gameplay mechanics, intuitive ’scramble style’ exploration, fully voiced dialogue, dramatic narrative and a powerful distinct anime-inspired visual direction.

John Burns, Vice President and General Manager for Atari Europe, said;

“We are pleased to announce the upcoming launch of Blade Kitten for Xbox LIVE Arcade, Playstation®Network and PC Download. With its colourful anime inspired universe, simple pick up and play arcade action and intuitive scramble style exploration Blade Kitten is destined to become one of the hot digital releases of 2010.”

For further information visit the Blade Kitten website.

As well as experiencing the Superbike championship, players can also participate in the Supersport series, testing the improvements of the Portimao circuit.

You can try out your riding skills in different weather conditions as well as riding against 15 other riders in the new Online Multiplayer Mode and you can also play both in Arcade or Simulation mode.

As well as the regular Regular SBK®X edition, there is to be a Limited Special Edition which features a list of 17 riders from the history of Superbikes plus a DVD documentary showing highlights of an exclusive interview with the 2009 Superbike World Champion Ben Spies.

Both versions of the game will be available for purchase from the 4th June.

Now when players go to play the game they will be offered a new option in the main menu titled “Play Air Superiority.” Congratulations to James (jkasapi) from Peterborough, who was the person that recorded the 43rd millionth kill. The PlayStation community is over the 21M mark.

Coral Sea is designed to showcase the intense battle in the skies, offering an all-new Air superiority game mode. The legendary WWII action this map provides will have players dog fighting in this airplanes-only map, proving once again DICE delivers on a first class online vehicle warfare experience better than anyone else! Players will be able to track the progress of their respective console communities at www.battlefield1943.com

Battlefield 1943 is an all-new download-only multiplayer action game that brings DICE’s first-class WWII action to gamers. This award-winning game introduces two thrilling new modes where 24 players can compete across four classic WWII Battlefield maps: Wake Island, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Coral Sea. These maps are inspired by the award winning Battlefield 1942™ game, but have been redesigned and re-engineered using the DICE Frostbite™ engine allowing players to rain havoc and destruction via land, sea or air.

Battlefield 1943 is now available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace (1200 MS Points) and the PlayStation store (£9.99).

Lempel acknowledges that the Microsoft’s digital distribution platform offered many advantages over PlayStation early on, but insists that Sony have now closed the gap on it’s rival, and is now in ‘great shape’ to take the Xbox on head to head.

Lempel says;

“In some cases, I think we’ve got more. In terms of strengths, of course we’re still free, and we’re giving you a lot for free. It’s not just free online gaming, but we’ve got PlayStation Home, which is a massive community and application that’s totally free to use. Our video download service is also a little bit different from theirs in that we sell movies in addition to renting movies. I think there’s a lot we’re doing that in some cases they’re not doing, and I don’t see a lot of things they’re doing that we’re not.”

Do you agree that PSN has as much to offer as XBLA? What is your preference?

Release date: 18/11/2005
Available on Playstation 2, Xbox and Gamecube.

If you feel differently about this game or you agree with the review please comment to tell us how you feel.