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IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30, 2008 - Representatives from Atlus today stood silently before assembled members of the gaming press for an estimated 30 to 40 minutes, headphones in ears, listening to the Legacy of Ys: Books I & II soundtrack. Following the awkward delay, it was then announced that the game’s renowned musical score would be offered as a free pre-order bonus at select retailers.

Epic in melody and arrangement, the Ys Books I & II soundtrack has long been considered one of the greatest video same scores ever created. Originally released in an era when many games used music simply to avoid stretches of silence, Ys offered a sweeping emotional score, building on action and tension to provide players with an altogether potent experience. As relevant today as ever, the freshly arranged music CD still manages the same level of excitement and energy, and stand as a testament to true excellence in game music.

For more info and to sample the pre-order bonus disc:
http://www.atlus.com/ys/pre-order.html

For more information about Legacy of Ys: Books I & II, visit the official website:
http://www.atlus.com/ys

Legacy of Ys: Books I & II is scheduled for release for Nintendo DS™ on February 10, 2009, with an MSRP of $34.99.

About Legacy of Ys: Books I & II 
Stories tell of a land of yore, now shrouded by centuries of time forgotten, called Ys. Despite its great knowledge, endless wealth, and bountiful prosperity, a sudden and unexpected cataclysm devastated the realm. Soon, its memory had faded completely from the minds of man.

Centuries later, a young adventurer named Adol set sail to explore the world and leave his mark on history. During his travels, he learned of the tragic tale of Esteria, a once prosperous island now inexplicably engulfed by a crippling storm. Adol plotted a course for the besieged isle, curious to unravel the mystery…

Key Features
• Two Legendary RPGs on One Cartridge! - Experience two all time classics that helped shape the action RPG genre… Now on a portable system!
• Upgraded Ys Experience - Behold remastered 3D graphics, a remixed musical score, and new enemies and equipment to discover. Touch control and local wireless multiplayer for up to four people deepen the adventure, while difficulty levels and dual control schemes tailor the experience to the gamer.
• The Definitive Story - Available to North American audiences for the first time, this ultimate translation delivers the most substantial version of the famous Ys story ever made!

Legacy of Ys: Books I & II has been rated “T” for Teen with Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Animated Blood, Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, and Partial Nudity by the ESRB.

Penguin 24X DS Gaming Pouch

• Fits up to 24 games. The only game card holder for the serious DS gamer.
• Transparent Inner Pages for full view of your games collection. 
• Fit 6 Nintendo DS game cards per page, with 4 inner pages to fit up to 24 games.
• Made of Premium Material - Not from real leather so no animal was harmed.

The Gaming Pouch is a pretty handy unit. It’s 4 pages of pockets gives you plenty of room for those pesky little DS cartridges. If you have amassed a large collection, the 24X DS Gaming Pouch is a very handy item to have. I tested one of these little units for the past 2 weeks. They do indeed hold a lot of cartridges, which is great if you don’t want to keep having to open those little boxes.

The boys have a hard time with the Nintendo DS cases as it is. The usually smash fingers, or have a hard time prying the cartridges out of them, so they have wind up cluttering the floor of their room. The pouch makes it easy for them to keep the cartridges in place and the actual DS cases on the bookself. There is a nice touch with this unit as well: there is a loop for holding the extra stylus, which keeps it handy if one gets lost.

The 24X DS Gaming Pouch itself is made of a sturdy material, with nice poly pages inside that have taken abuse from the cartridges without stretching out. The outsides come in: White with Light Blue, White with Pink, White with Navy, and Black with Red. All have a little penguin logo on the front.

One issue we had with the DS Gaming Pouch is that the zipper can be a little tough if there aren’t many cartridges in it. This is mainly when zipping around the corners. If you or your kids are impatient, it’s easy to make the zipper skip some teeth. It’s easily fixable, and can be avoided by putting the cartridges in the corner slots first. 

Pros:
Holds a massive 24 cartridges.
4 different color schemes.

Cons:
Zipper can come off the track if you are in a hurry.
This unit holds a lot of cartridges and is a great bang for the buck. It can help keep those little carts secure, organized and handy for trips or just storage.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

After last week’s practically non-existent releases, we’re back to business as normal for this week’s new releases!

8 Ball All Stars (DS)
12 Volt (PC, PS2)
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (360, PS3)
The Agency (PS3)
American Pool Deluxe (Wii)
Ape Escape: Million Monkeys (PS2)
Asphalt: Urban GT 2 (PSP)
Banjo-Tooie (XBLA)
Call of Cthulhu: Destiny’s End (PC)
Evasive Space (Wii)
The Fall: Last Days of Gaia (PC)
Highlander (PC, PS3)
Hotel for Dogs (Wii)
Hurry Up Hedgehog! (DS)
Indoor Sports by Konami (Wii)
Insecticide (PC)
LIT (Wii)
Pirates: Duel on the high Seas (DS)
Playboy the Mansion: Private Party (PC)
Professor Heinz Wolff’s Gravity (Wii)
Story Hour: Fairy Tales (Wii)
Worldwide Soccer Manager 2007 (360, PSP)

Peripherals
Playstation 3 Real Arcade Pro. 3 Fighting Stick (PS3)
Playstation 3 WarBeast Guitar (PS2, PS3)

Amazon’s new this week list

Ubisoft signs deal to publish the Director’s Cut of Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars

Genre-defining Adventure Game that Introduced Gamers to the Mysteries of the Knights Templars Makes its Debut on Wii(TM) and Nintendo DS(TM) Systems with a Special Edition

 Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced a publishing agreement to release the special edition of Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars on Wii(TM) and Nintendo DS(TM) systems.

“Ubisoft works with the very best development talent in the world,” said Alain Corre, Ubisoft EMEA Executive Director. “We jumped at the opportunity to work with Charles Cecil and Revolution to publish a game of the highest pedigree so perfectly suited for the Nintendo audience.”

Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - The Director’s Cut builds on the original, boasting a new and explosive narrative interwoven with the first story. New puzzles have been added for Nintendo DS and Wii that specifically utilize Nintendo’s unique control methods. The game also features stunning animated facial expressions drawn by Dave Gibbons, the artistic genius behind the comic book and upcoming movie, Watchmen.

“These new platforms and their innovative controls enabled us to translate and enrich the point-and-click gaming experience in a way that no other console allowed before,” said Charles Cecil, founder of Revolution Software and designer of the Broken Sword series. “Through Dave’s animated faces, the game’s characters are portrayed as empathetic and emotional - driving the narrative in a way that has never been done before in an adventure game. The Director’s Cut has allowed me to deliver my true vision for the series.”

Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - The Director’s Cut starts with the player in control of charming Parisian photo-journalist Nicole Collard, who witnesses the brutal and horrifying murder of one of Paris’s richest and most influential statesmen. During her investigations, which feature exclusive new locations, Nico meets amiable American George Stobbart, who has been unwittingly caught up in the sinister and bloody theft of an ancient manuscript. Together, they are drawn into a terrifying conspiracy rooted in a long-forgotten medieval legend.

Expanding on the original classic storyline, The Director’s Cut features tight scripting and an intense atmosphere from the explosive opening sequence to the gripping finale, where the full threat of the conspiracy is revealed.

Adds Charles Cecil, “The Director’s Cut features elements that enhance the original puzzles and storyline, which helps explain what happened prior to the start of the original game, and how it ties to later games in the series.”

Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - The Director’s Cut is scheduled for release on Wii and Nintendo DS in March 2009.

Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today summons all fans of classic, western-style first-person role playing games to experience The Dark Spire for Nintendo DS, an RPG of exploration and character development in the purest sense. Parties will be assembled, stats will be rolled, items, weapons and armor shall be equipped, and monsters will be slain. Some adventurers will choose to play using the “modern” interface, its bold, stylized textures and palettes delivering a fresh, up-to-date adventure. Others may opt for the “classic” mode, guaranteed to evoke overwhelming sensations of nostalgia as it perfectly recreates the style and simplicity of the fathers of the genre. Two different presentation modes, two different ways to experience The Dark Spire!

The powerful Archmage Tyrhung resides in a tower of mist and shadow. He holds in his possession a jewel of great worth and power. A group of adventurers assemble. Will they be able to conquer Tyrhung and his nefarious tower? The party sets out, its fate yet to be determined… 

The Dark Spire is scheduled for release on March 10, 2009 with an MSRP of $29.99, it is written.

For more information about The Dark Spire, visit the official website.

Dec. 16, 2008

Starting today, Nintendo welcomes its North American fans to Club Nintendo™, a special club that rewards members for registering Nintendo products and completing surveys. Nintendo fans can sign up by visiting Club.Nintendo.com. After joining, fans can register select Nintendo hardware and Nintendo-published games in exchange for Nintendo Coins, which can then be redeemed for limited-edition Nintendo rewards available only to Club Nintendo members.
 
“Club Nintendo gives fans what they want - access to exclusive rewards for their loyalty to our brand and our products,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America Inc.’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “We’re offering some unique items as a way to say thanks for their support of Nintendo.”

Once they become Club Nintendo members, Nintendo fans and former My Nintendo members can create a profile and register select Nintendo products on the site by inputting a product serial ID (a list of compatible products is posted on the site). The user is then asked to complete a survey about the product. Coins are awarded once surveys are complete. That’s when the fun begins. Some of the exclusive rewards include the Game & Watch™ Collection for the Nintendo DS™ and a set of traditional Hanafuda cards printed with Nintendo characters.

Customers who purchase a new Wii™ or Nintendo DS™ system can register the product with Club Nintendo and complete a survey to extend the product warranty. Club Nintendo members can reach Gold and Platinum status by collecting a certain amount of Coins each year. Gold and Platinum members will be eligible to receive exclusive rewards. As members, fans can also sign up for personalized newsletters to learn about upcoming products that best match their interests.

For more information about Nintendo, please visit www.Nintendo.com.

New Releases Include Pokemon Platinum, New Play Control,  Pikmin and Mario Power Tennis for Wii, Fire Emblem for Nintendo DS

REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 17, 2008 – Continuing its commitment to create fun and engaging experiences for everyone, Nintendo of America Inc. today unleashes a broad list of exciting new games for the first quarter of 2009. Topping the list is Pokémon™ Platinum version for Nintendo DS™, a remarkable new entry in the beloved Pokémon series, slated for a March 22 launch across North America. Nintendo’s roster of more than 100 new games includes an impressive array of challenges and experiences for new players and loyalists, as well as everyone in between. Notable titles include the enhanced New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis™ and New Play Control! Pikmin™ for Wii™, and Fire Emblem™: Shadow Dragon, Personal Trainer™: Mathand Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for Nintendo DS.

“Our fans expect a diverse selection of entertainment options, and we’re eager to deliver exactly that,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “We’re building on the momentum of a strong holiday season by offering new and experienced players an even greater library of game titles in 2009.”

Pokémon fans in particular will have plenty to cheer about as Pokémon Platinum is readied for its U.S. debut. Following the vast popularity ofPokémon® Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, Pokémon Platinum is the newest in the core series of Pokémon games. Pokémon Platinumfeatures a new story full of adventure, never-before-seen forms of powerful Pokémon – including the legendary Giratina’s Origin Forme – and the Distortion World, a mysterious new world that suddenly appears in the Sinnoh region. In addition, with Pokémon Platinum up to 20 players can interact with other Pokémon fans from around the world in the new Wi-Fi Plaza, featuring mini-games and activities. Players can also enjoy the new features in the Global Terminal, such as posting battle videos using the new “Vs. Recorder.”  In addition,Pokémon Platinum features a new Battle Frontier, where the toughest Trainers can test their skills in new ways. Pokémon Platinum already has broken previous Nintendo DS sales records in Japan, selling more than 1 million copies in its first two days of release.

For the portable Nintendo DS, Personal Trainer: Math builds on the new Personal Trainer™ series, which launched with Personal Trainer™: Cooking, now extends its reach beyond the stomach to the brain.Personal Trainer: Math introduces 40 fast-paced exercises to give players a fun way to improve their arithmetic skills. The Personal Trainer series is designed to help users enrich their lives and learn new skills in fun and interesting ways. Also for Nintendo DS, fans of the Fire Emblem franchise will enjoy the arrival of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, a revamped and re-imagined version of the NES™ classic, featuring touch-screen controls. Players with a broadband Internet connection can enjoy worldwide battles over Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo’s online gaming service.

Meanwhile, for the Wii console, Nintendo is offering up two classic Nintendo GameCube™ games: New Play Control! Mario Power Tennisand New Play Control! Pikmin enhanced for play using the Wii Remote™ controller. The enhanced New Play Control! Pikmin game lets players point the Wii Remote controller at the screen and use it as a cursor, making it easy to select either a single Pikmin or an entire army. When a player tosses Pikmin, they fly wherever the cursor is pointing. New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis lets players enjoy an afternoon on the court as their favorite characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, complete with motion-controlled serves and swings. With Wii controls, players can swing the Wii Remote controller to hit forehands and backhands and to apply spin. Experienced gamers can also attach a Nunchuk™ controller for additional precision. Both games are scheduled to launch next March.

Third-party publishers continue to bring diverse, creative games likeFINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: Echoes of Time™ from Square-Enix for Wii and Nintendo DS. These games offer unique features that allow users to play multiplayer across Nintendo platforms.MADWORLD™ from Sega will be available exclusively for Wii, and the highly acclaimed franchise Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars from Rockstar Games will be available for Nintendo DS.

Below is a partial list of upcoming games for Wii and Nintendo DS. Note that game titles and launch dates are subject to change.

Wii

Activision
Monsters vs. Aliens - March 24

Crave Entertainment 
Monster Pals™ - March
Solitaire & Mahjong - February
Puzzle Challenges and More! - February
Crayola Colorful World - March

D3Publisher 
Onechanbara™ Bikini Zombie Slayers™ - February
Coraline - January

Destineer
WordJong Party - January
Battle Rage - February
Cradle of Rome - February
Cate West: The Vanishing Files - March
Burger Island - March

Disney Interactive Studios
Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year - Winter

DreamCatcher
Play the World - March

Electronic Arts
NASCAR® Kart Racing - Feb. 10
SimAnimals™ - Jan. 27
TRIVIAL PURSUIT - Early spring

Hudson Entertainment
FISHING MASTER WORLD TOUR - Jan. 6
Marble Saga Kororinpa™ - Spring

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. 
DanceDanceRevolution® Disney Grooves - March

Majesco Entertainment
Escape the Museum - January
Major Minor’s Majestic March - March

Marvelous Entertainment USA
Little King’s Story - Feb. 17
Rune Factory: Frontier - March

Mastiff 
Deer Drive™ - Jan. 20

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. 
We Ski™ and Snowboard - March

Nintendo
New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis™ - March
New Play Control! Pikmin™ - March

Sega 
The House of The Dead: Overkill™ - February
SONIC™ and the Black Knight - March
MADWORLD™ - March

Southpeak Interactive
Roogoo Twisted Towers™ - Feb. 17
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball™ - March 17
Brave: A Warrior’s Tale™ - Feb. 17

THQ
Paws & Claws Pet Resort - Jan. 5
Neighborhood Games - Jan. 5

Ubisoft
Tenchu™: Shadow Assassins - February
Broken Sword™: Shadows of the Templars (Director’s Cut) - March

XS Games
Super PickUps™ - Q1

Nintendo DS

Activision
Monsters vs. Aliens - March 24
Pimp My Ride 2™ - March 24
Animal Planet™ - March 10

Atlus U.S.A., Inc. 
My World, My Way™ - Feb. 3
Legacy of Ys™: Books I & II - Feb. 10
Trackmania™ DS - March 17

Crave Entertainment 
Monster Pals ™ - March

D3Publisher of America
Puzzle Quest™: Galactrix™ - Q1
Coraline - January

Destineer 
USA TODAY Puzzle Craze - January
DinoPets - March

Disney Interactive Studios
Phineas and Ferb - Winter

DreamCatcher
Inkheart - January
Learn Math - January
Drivers’ Ed Portable - January
Monster Band - January
Zoo Quest - February
My Personal Diary - February
Music Star: Pop Star - February
Paint by DS - March
Matchstick - March
Dreamer: Top Model - March
Sarah - Keeper of the Unicorn - March
Learn Chess - March
Dragon Master - April

Electronic Arts
Zubo™ - March
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure™ - Q1
SimAnimals™ - Jan. 27

Empire Interactive 
Jagged Alliance - Feb. 17

Gameloft
American Popstar - Road to Celebrity - March 9

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero™ - Q1
Suikoden Tierkreis - Q1
Little Magician’s Magic Adventure™ - Q1

Majesco Entertainment 
WonderWorld Amusement Park™ - January
Powerbike - January
Our House™ - Q1
Hot ‘n’ Cold - March

Marvelous Entertainment USA
Avalon Code - February
Flower, Sun, and Rain - March

Mastiff
Moon™ - Jan. 13

MumboJumbo
Chicken Hunter Star Karts - March 10

Nintendo
Personal Trainer™: Math - Jan. 12
Fire Emblem™: Shadow Dragon - Feb. 16
Pokémon™ Platinum version - March 22

ROCKSTAR GAMES 
Grand Theft Auto™: Chinatown Wars - Winter

Southpeak Interactive 
Big Bang Mini® - Jan. 6
Roogoo Attack™ - Feb. 17
Brave: Shaman’s Challenge™ - Feb. 17

Square Enix, Inc. 
FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: Echoes of Time™ - Spring

THE GAME FACTORY
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES™ - Jan. 19

THQ
Paws & Claws Pampered Pets - Jan. 5

TOMY Corporation
My DoItAll™ - February

Ubisoft
Jake Power Fireman - January
Jake Power Policeman - January
Imagine™ Cheerleader - February
JoJo’s Fashion Show - February
Petz® Horseshoe Ranch - February
Imagine™ Family Doctor - February
Imagine™ Ice Champions - March
Jake Power Handyman - March
My Fashion Studio Paris Collection - Feb. 17
American Popstar - Road to Celebrity - March 24
Broken Sword™: Shadows of the Templars (Director’s Cut) - March

XSEED Games
Retro Game Challenge - Jan. 6

SANTA MONICA, CA - DECEMBER 16, 2008 - Monster Jam® is proud to announce that fans will once again be able to “game their way to Vegas” in the Monster Jam: Urban Assault National Tournament, the video game equivalent of the Monster Jam World Finals. The contestants will challenge each other in a series of regional qualifiers using the Monster Jam: Urban Assault game on Wii^TM for a chance to compete in Las Vegas on March 28, 2009. The contest is open to everyone ages 13 and up. To enter and for more details, please visit www.MonsterJamOnline.com/nationaltournament.

The 16 regional qualifying rounds will begin at Houston’s Reliant Stadium on January 3rd and will be followed by 15 more qualifying rounds at the top Monster Jam stadiums across the country. Each of the 16 national qualifiers will host Monster Jam: Urban Assault competitions where four contestants, picked at random from online entrants, will compete against each other on Wii^TM gaming platforms in front of the packed stadiums. The eight fastest winners, out of all 16 winners, will then be flown to the Monster Jam World Finals at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium, where they will compete against each other for the national championship.

Fans not picked to compete in the regional qualifiers also have a chance to compete. One lucky individual will be chosen at random as the wildcard entrant and will also win a trip to Las Vegas to challenge the eight regional winners in the tournament finals. To have a chance to be selected the random wildcard entrant, sign up at www.MonsterJamOnline.com/nationaltournament.

This past March, 14 year-old Jordan Rager of Loganville, GA, won the first ever Monster Jam Video Game National Tournament in Las Vegas by first qualifying at the Atlanta Georgia Dome regional qualifier. He was then awarded an expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas to compete against the other regional qualifiers at the Monster Jam World Finals. At the Las Vegas Monster Jam Finals, Jordan bested all finalists to become the inaugural Monster Jam Video Game National Champion.

The Monster Jam: Urban Assault 2009 National Tournament regional qualifier locations and dates:

January 3 - Houston, Texas - Reliant Stadium
January 10 - Atlanta, Georgia - Georgia Dome
January 10 - Anaheim, California - Angel Stadium
January 10 - San Antonio, Texas - Alamodome
January 17 - Detroit, Michigan - Ford Field
January 17 - Minneapolis, Minnesota - Metrodome
January 17 - San Diego, California - Qualcomm Stadium
January 24 - Indianapolis, Indiana - RCA Dome
January 24 - Orlando, Florida - Citrus Bowl
January 24 - Phoenix, Arizona - Chase Field
January 31 - Miami, Florida - Dolphin Stadium
January 31 - New Orleans, Louisiana - Superdome
February 21 - St. Louis, Missouri - Edward Jones Dome
February 21 - Tampa, Florida - Raymond James Stadium
February 28 - Jacksonville, Florida - Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
February 28 - Oakland, California - Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
**March 28 - Las Vegas, NV, Monster Jam World Finals - Sam Boyd Stadium
**The Monster Jam World Finals in Las Vegas, NV will host the Monster Jam: Urban Assault National Championship.

In Monster Jam: Urban Assault, all-out destruction is taken to a whole new level by busting the traditional Monster Jam action out of the stadiums and onto city streets across the globe. Players can choose from over 27 different monster trucks, including classic Monster Jam icons like Grave Digger®, Maximum Destruction®, Monster Mutt®, El Toro Loco®, Blue Thunder® and Captain’s Curse®, as well as newer stars such as Stone Crusher^TM and Backwards Bob^TM. The game focuses on crushing everything in your path while doing insane tricks in never before seen urban environments. Monster Jam: Urban Assault features 26 new urban tracks, 12 authentic Monster Jam stadiums, seven different game modes and 12 skill competitions, and players can challenge up to four of their friends via split-screen multiplayer.

Monster Jam: Urban Assault is available now for Wii^TM, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and Nintendo DS^TM.

Anyone interested in competing in the Monster Jam Urban Assault National Tournament should visit www.MonsterJamOnline.com/nationaltournament to sign up for a chance to be randomly selected to compete at a regional stadium qualifier. Official entry rules and more tournament details can also be found at the site.

Rockstar Games is proud to announce the release date for Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, the latest entry into the genre-defining Grand Theft Auto series. Developed by Rockstar Leeds, in conjunction with series creators Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will be available for the Nintendo DS™ on March 17 and 20, 2009 in North America and Europe, respectively.

“Rockstar Leeds have once again created a game that far exceeds our standard for deep and innovative entertainment,” said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. “We are incredibly excited to share this enormous and uncompromising Grand Theft Auto experience with DS fans.”

Edge Magazine commented, “How does Rockstar follow Grand Theft Auto IV? By rebuilding Liberty City from the ground up on DS - and not compromising its vision one iota.”

Nintendo Power added, “…it’s undeniable that Chinatown Wars is doing something no other DS game has come close to: creating that living, breathing world the Grand Theft Auto games are known for.

Things on Wheels (XBLA):

Things on Wheels is all about what you choose to remotely drive. Vintage cars have exceptional handling, making them the easiest cars to learn to drive. However, their low speeds and power make it near impossible to catch up to other racers if they are driving faster cars. Envy is slow but its power and moderately high handling can give it the upper hand when driven by a skilled racer. Its ability to turn sharply will give Envy an edge over most other fast cars as they tend to make wider turns. Glammy’s moderately low speed is only made worse by its very low power. However, this vintage has high handling which can help it close large distance gaps between competitors during turns.

Big Bang Mini (DS):
Luxor

A pixilated version of pyramids and palm trees creates the theme for the Luxor World. Draw a horizontal line on the touch screen to create the world’s new ability, the Mirror Shield. Along with the Homing Missiles, this temporary upgrade will not only protect you, but send the enemies’ fire right back at them. When you reach the Egyptian Pharaoh boss level, complete him and make him vulnerable by bumping his separate pieces with your ship. Sometimes enemy fire will be so intense you must use your shield to survive, and in turn, defeat the enemy quickly with their own fire. Remember that your shield does not last forever so keep an eye on it. When it starts blinking, be prepared to get your ship to somewhere safe. When fighting the boss, bump your ship upwards into his headpieces as they come onto the screen. Fire rapidly before he moves off screen or you’ll have to repeat the process.

World Upgrade: Mirror Shield: The Mirror Shield will deflect and reflect enemy fire. Activate it by swiftly drawing a straight line horizontally across the screen. Remember, like the Vortex, the Mirror Shield needs time to recharge