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It’s Adventure Served Your Way in the All-New Strategy RPG!

Natsume Inc., announced today that it is bringing an all-new RPG titled Adventures To Go to the PlayStation Portable system later this summer. The game offers a refreshing twist on the strategy RPG genre, offering gamers the opportunity to shape and customize the game’s dungeons to their own liking!

“We are thrilled to be publishing Adventures To Go,” said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO at Natsume. “Its whimsical storyline, strategic combat, and endless replayability should earn it a top spot on any RPG player’s list!”

In this hilarious and innovative strategy RPG, players take control of Finn Courtland and his band of misfits in their quest for fame and riches. Along the way, they just might have to save the world from the evil Arbitus and his band of demons. It’ll take brains as well as brawn to win the day, though; the grid-based combat challenges players to think strategically and make the best use of each character’s unique skills and abilities. The strategy doesn’t end there, though! Players can spend their hard-earned cash to set up the game’s randomized dungeons to their liking; choose the terrain, the size of the dungeon, and the monsters that you’ll face. Play it safe, or take on bigger risks for even greater rewards! Your adventure is in your hands!

Adventures To Go will make its first public appearance at next month’s E3 trade show in the Los Angeles area and will ship to retail later this summer.

For more information on Natsume’s titles, please visit www.natsume.com.

Published by Atari Inc. in North America and Coming to Xbox 360, Wii, PS3, PS2, PC and Nintendo DS on June 16th, 2009

Coming Exclusively to PS3 and PS2 in Europe and PAL Regions on June 19th 2009 Published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

PSP(PlayStation Portable) Version Coming Worldwide Autumn 2009

Atari today confirmed the worldwide launch plans for the highly anticipated Ghostbusters: The Video Game.

The title will launch on the Xbox 360, Windows PC, PS3, PS2, Wii and Nintendo DS in North America on June 16th 2009 and will be published by Atari Inc.

In an exclusive deal for Europe and the PAL regions, the PS3 and PS2 versions will launch on June 19th 2009 published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. The launch coincides with the 25th anniversary of the original film’s theatrical release and the launch of the Blu-Ray of the classic first movie, benefiting from a worldwide launch and licensing campaign by Sony Pictures Consumer Products.

“Ghostbusters: The Video Game is one of our most significant worldwide releases this summer. Through Atari’s North America publishing business and alongside our partners at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, we have a strategically diversified approach to maximize a title of this magnitude on a global basis,” said Jim Wilson, CEO, Atari, Inc.

He continued: “As excitement in the marketplace continues to accelerate around this title and the 25th anniversary of the movie’s release, Ghostbusters’ large and loyal fan base and gamers across North America can play Ghostbusters: The Video Game across all major platforms on June 16.”

A PSP (PlayStation Portable) version of the game is scheduled for worldwide launch in autumn 2009 and will be published in Europe by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game, based on the smash hit motion picture franchise, is penned by original Ghostbusters writers and stars Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd and reunites many of the original cast members to recapture the unique blend of humour and fright that established Ghostbusters as a pop culture sensation. The game’s launch on 16 June 2009 coincides with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s worldwide debut of the original motion picture on Blu-ray Disc.

In addition to Aykroyd and Ramis, original Ghostbusters Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson lend their voices and in-game likenesses to the original story set two years after Ghostbusters II, with Manhattan once again overrun by ghosts and supernatural forces. The player joins up as a new recruit with the original team, testing a variety of unique equipment and gadgets, to track, wrangle and trap this wide range of awe-inspiring phantasms in an all new funny and frightening battle to save New York City from its latest paranormal plague.

For more information about Ghostbusters: The Video Game please visit www.ghostbustersgame.com.

Survive grisly monsters, experience spectacular powers and endure mysterious battles – now in the palm of your hands!

Playlogic Entertainment, Inc. announced today that the heart-pumping, thrill-seeking teen horror title Obscure: The Aftermath is coming to the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and will be available in North American retail stores in September. The title is already available for the Wii system, PS2 and Windows PC under the same name.

“We received a tremendous amount of feedback from fans wanting us to bring the gruesome gore of Obscure 2 to a handheld console,” said Rogier Smit, executive vice president of Playlogic. “Our talented teams have since crafted the game to fit the unique co-op capabilities and controls of the PSP while also keeping the exciting gameplay and detailed graphics featured in the console versions intact.”

Obscure: The Aftermath is the sequel to the acclaimed survival horror game Obscure. Two years ago, at Leafmore High, a group of young teenagers were trapped inside their school and haunted by monsters that had been released by their maniac headmaster. Some of them survived that terrible night, while others perished. Since then the survivors have picked up their lives and began college at Fallcreek University.

Unexpectedly, strange black flowers start springing up all over campus. While experimenting with these flowers in class, a dangerous substance is discovered that induces strange but vivid dreams. Some of the students find that there is more to the flowers than anyone could have ever expected and when the seeds finally germinate, a bad trip suddenly turns into a horrible reality.

Game features include
* Six individually developed characters, all with their own unique skills
* Unique co-op mode; second player can join in at any time
* Highly detailed and rich 3D environment
* Vast variety of weapons and horrifying monsters
* Stunning soundtrack performed by the Boston String Quartet and the Paris Opera’s Children’s choir
* Fully optimized controls for PSP, including a redesigned menu
* User accessible playlist of the musical tracks and FMV cutscenes
* Stunning storyboard, artwork and concept art galleries

Obscure: The Aftermath is rated “M” for mature by the ESRB. For more information about the game or Playlogic, please visit www.playlogicgames.com.

It is with great pleasure that Cyanide and Focus Home Interactive are announcing the opening of the official Blood Bowl web site!

The web site is the new source of all information on the game and its content, and it is the best place to discover the Blood Bowl video game and stay informed of the latest news about the game and the growing community around it.

An ultra-violent mix of Warhammer Fantasy and American football, Blood Bowl allows players to create the ultimate “fantasy” sports teams. Coaches can build bone-crushing teams of Orcs, Wood Elves, Humans, Dwarfs and many more fantastic creatures – then throw them into the stadium for the ultimate blood sport! Blood Bowl is strategic, action-packed and violent, requiring coaches to use their best tactics, team design – and a dose of pure ruthless bloodlust always helps too!

All of these charming creatures teams are waiting for you to play in highly contested games in Q2 2009.

Blood Bowl is currently in development and will come out on PC, Xbox 360 and on Nintendo DS and Sony PSP handheld systems.

Published by Focus Home Interactive.

Popular Survival Horror Series Resurrects True Terror With Debut on Wii

Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. today unveiled the latest iteration in the popular Silent Hill franchise scheduled to launch this fall on Wii, PS2 and PSP. Featuring an interactive user interface, improved puzzle system, and a psych profile that changes the experience based on the players’ gameplay choices, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories conveys the most fluid and realistic gameplay of the series to date.

“Silent Hill: Shattered Memories returns to its roots in this re-imagining of the original Silent Hill with the most interactive and frightening installment of the decade-old series,” said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “With a deep storyline, eerie music and a psych profile that watches its players and evolves to expose their innermost fears throughout the game, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is sure to evoke fear in both franchise newcomers and longtime survival horror fans.”

In this terrifying survival horror experience with an all-new soundtrack by acclaimed series composer Akira Yamaoka, players follow Harry Mason, the maladroit protagonist who is searching for his missing daughter, Cheryl. While Harry wanders the snowy streets of Silent Hill searching for clues of her disappearance, he must face twisted creatures from the depths of his frozen nightmares.

In the Wii version, players will be drawn into the mysterious town using the Wii Remote as a flashlight and cell phone as they search for clues. The cell phone can also be used by players as a user interface which acts as a story telling device, map, camera and much more, providing seamless flow with no interruption in gameplay. Additionally, through a very unique feature in the game, an advanced psych profile watches and adapts to players’ actions to acclimatize Harry and the people he meets, the places he visits, and the enemies he encounters to create an intense and gripping experience like never before.

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is scheduled to launch this fall for the Wii, PS2 and PSP

Monster Jam Set to Crown 2009 Champion at the Monster Jam: Urban Assault National Tournament Finals in Las Vegas This Weekend

Activision and Feld Motor Sports, Inc. announced today the championship round of the Monster Jam: Urban Assault National Tournament, taking place at the Monster Jam World Finals in Las Vegas’s Sam Boyd Stadium this Saturday, where one of nine finalists will be crowned as the new National Champion. Eight of the nine finalists qualified for an expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas to compete in the Monster Jam: Urban Assault National Tournament by winning their regional qualifiers at Monster Jam events during January and February. The finalists will challenge each other using the Monster Jam: Urban Assault game on Wii.

The tournament consisted of 16 regional qualifying rounds that began back in January and took place at the top Monster Jam stadiums across the country. Players competed on Wii gaming platforms in front of thousands of screaming Monster Jam fans. The eight fastest winners have been awarded expense-paid trips to Las Vegas, where they will compete against each other for the national championship in the Monster Jam World Finals at Sam Boyd Stadium. The winner will become the second Monster Jam Video Game National Champion.

Michael Furlow, from Jacksonville, IL, is the lucky wild card winner who qualified for the 9th and final National Tournament spot by registering online at www.MonsterJamOnline.com.

The Monster Jam: Urban Assault 2009 National Tournament Championship participants are:

Winner Won In Hometown Time
1. Joe Schaefer Houston, TX Brenham, TX 1:42:00
2. Matt Regevig Phoenix, AZ Glendale, AZ 2:07:80
3. Eric Myers Oakland, CA Fairfield, CA 2:12:84
4. Alberto Trevino San Antonio, TX Portland, TX 2:20:79
5. Tony Lee St. Louis, MO Auxvasse, MO 2:21:12
6. Drew Winthrop Miami, FL West Palm Beach, FL 2:25:93
7. Justin Kerfoot Anaheim, CA Newport Beach, CA 2:30:00
8. Craig Knor Indianapolis, IN Munster, IN 2:32:66
9. Michael Furlow *Wildcard Winner* Jacksonville, IL

The nine qualifiers will compete in three separate semi-final rounds throughout the day on Saturday at the Built Ford Tough Party in the Pits at the Monster Jam World Finals. The three winners of the semi-final rounds, in addition to the fastest gamer of the six who did not win, will compete in the final round for the National Championship.

Last year, 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.

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.

For more information about the event and daily updates about the finals please visit www.monsterjamonline.com.

Monster Jam: Urban Assault is available now for Wii, PS2, PSP, and Nintendo DS.

World’s Best-Selling Soccer Video Game Franchise Also Available On Next-Gen, Current-Gen and Hand-held Systems

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. announced today that Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (PES 2009) for Wii has shipped to retail stores nationwide. Already available on Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, Wii owners now have the ability to experience Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 with exclusive co-op play and much more!

As one of the premier soccer games on the market, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 for Wii offers an authentic soccer experience, incredible realism, and exciting new gameplay. Featuring real players, a large variety of licensed teams and a number of professional arenas, gamers will be able to re-create the excitement surrounding the world’s most popular sport. As in previous releases, the ball is treated as a separate entity, with the timing of shots completely controlled by the player. An updated AI system ensures that teammates will be constantly seeking the best field position, making intelligent moves on both offense and defense. Unique to the Wii version, players can easily move their players on the pitch using intuitive controls, enabling a variety of offense patterns on the fly. Dribbling control has also been enhanced, and a number of subtle moves have been added to bypass defenders in order to move the ball down the pitch. For the first time, to further the gameplay’s realism, the Wii version now features the acclaimed ‘Master League Mode’ where players can complete a squad with real players based on transfers, blending real soccer strategy with real soccer fun.

Utilizing the Wii capabilities, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 has exciting new online features and customization options. Featuring a co-op play that supports up to 4 players, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 has a greatly improved online mode that can support up to eight players competing online simultaneously, using two consoles and with four players per Wii console. Anything up to four against four is allowed online, while offline allows for four players simultaneously. Based on controller preference, players can choose from the nunchuck and Wii Remote, the horizontal Wii Remote or the Classic controller. In addition, this version offers the Edit Mode where players can create badges, kits and soccer stars from scratch.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 offers gamers the ability to compete as the world’s best players as it is the only game on the market to have the UEFA Champions League Mode. Additionally, Argentinean forward Lionel Messi and one of Mexico’s finest soccer players, Andres Guardado will be the faces of the latest version of the multi-million selling Pro Evolution Soccer series. Messi is regarded as one of the most exciting talents of the modern game as this 21-year-old is an ever-present fixture on both the Argentinean national team and his club team, FC Barcelona. Guardado, known for his renowned play on the Spanish professional club team Deportivo de La Coruña and for the Mexican national soccer team, has developed a large and loyal fan base worldwide.

Taking the commitment to Latin America one step further, Konami has also invited two renowned Latin narrators into the Pro Evolution Soccer family, adding to the impressive roster of different language narrations. Well-known soccer analysts Luis Garcia and Christian Martinoli will be the Spanish commentators in the game, allowing players to listen to the personalities they have grown accustomed to while watching their favorite teams.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is now available on Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Windows PC, and Wii. For more information on Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and other Konami products, please visit the company website at www.konami.com.

Jump Online and Start Banging Beats with the Patapon 2 Mini-Game – It’s Free and Ready to Play on Your PC or Mac

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced today that SPIL GAMES will host an exclusive Patapon™ 2 mini-game across many of their online game portals for one week only from March 9th to March 16th 2009. This official flash mini-game is fully playable on both PC and Macs, showcasing the musical fun and inventive gameplay of the newly released Patapon 2 – Out now on PSP (PlayStation® Portable).

The Patapon 2 mini-game, developed by Kerb to promote the launch of Patapon 2, allows you to try your hand at banging out beats to command your tiny tribesman with the rhythm of your drum. Patapon 2is the follow-up to the hugely popular Patapon™, a fun-filled adventure that combines unique gameplay with rhythm and music, requiring you to create cool drumming combos and lead your tribe to victory. There’s plenty of musical fun to be had – whether you want to play with your mates or enter a cool music carnival! With its funky rhythms, cool graphics, and a brand-new team mode, it’s a title you’ll want to get your hands on when it arrives this March.

SPIL GAMES is the world’s ultimate online game destination, providing online games through more than 50 game portals localized in 20 languages worldwide. As a primary distribution partner, SPIL GAMES launched the LocoRoco™ 2 mini game across all 50 of their gaming portals.

Test out your drumming skills with the Patapon 2 mini-game – it goes online at www.agame.com from March 9th to March 16th 2009. You can also visit www.gamesgames.com/game/Patapon-2.html.

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

Top-Selling MLB Franchise Ready to Toss Another Complete Game with Enhanced Franchise Options, In-Game Pitcher and Batter Analysis, and Online League Play

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) announced today the North American release of MLB 09 The Show(TM) available for PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)), PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable), and PlayStation(R)2. MLB 09 The Show will arrive in stores in time for Spring Training as the longest running, officially licensed baseball title, delivering true-to-life gameplay, deeper franchise and season modes, and incredible detail not found in any other title.

“The MLB franchise has been recognized as the industry leader in terms of realism and overall gameplay and we’re looking to stay at the forefront by taking it to another level with MLB 09 The Show,” said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President, Product Marketing, SCEA. “With enhanced gameplay features and more attention to detail than ever before, MLB 09 The Show is prepared to deliver an unsurpassed next-gen baseball experience.”

MLB 09 The Show continues to set itself apart from the other MLB games on the market with its attention to detail and unparalleled gameplay. Looking to build on that reputation, the game has added several new features and subtleties that play a huge role in bringing the baseball experience to life. Incredible stadium detail and signage, wear and tear on the field, dusk to night lighting transitions, and stadium JumboTron animations help immerse users in the ultimate baseball experience.

The popular “Road to the Show” feature returns, giving fans the chance to play offense and defense and truly immerse themselves in gameplay from a custom-created player’s perspective. This year, Road to the Show includes interactive training and coaching as users navigate through a career that culminates with a shot at the big leagues. “Online Season Leagues” are also newly available, allowing fully functional drafts and providing players with a flex calendar to play games ahead in the schedule. Also back for PS3 and PlayStation 2 is “Franchise Mode,” complete with the long anticipated 40-man roster. In Franchise Mode, fans must think and act like an owner while dealing with issues such as salary arbitration, waiver transactions, and September call-ups along the way. However winning games isn’t the only thing that matters, as users must deal with clubhouse chemistry, roster management, and other issues that arise over the course of a season.

MLB 09 The Show brings back the ability to create custom music tracks using the “My MLB Music” feature. However for this year, players will be able to edit music tracks to assign batter walk-up tunes using the “Custom Music” feature. Additionally, fans can record their own customized chants and yells and integrate them seamlessly into the ambient crowd noise to create an even more personalized rivalry.

The popular “Pitcher/Batter Analysis” feature returns on MLB 09 The Show for PS3 and PSP, detailing the breakdown of how a batter has performed based on pitch type and result. The game offers up 17 different pitch types for players to master and MLB 09 The Show details the different pitch grips and arm angles that hitters must address. Players can also hone their skills using a wide variety of “Training/Practice” drills, with each set of drills focusing on a different area of the game. Utilizing the “Progressive Batting Performance” feature, players are rewarded for superior skills at the plate but are also penalized for hitting slumps.

Once users master the basics and create highlights of their own, they can save each dazzling play to the PS3 hard drive with the “Replay Vault” feature, where every key play in the field and clutch at-bat can be replayed at any time. Also new to the highlight system is “End of Game Replays” where users are given an instant post-game summary of the most exciting and important plays of the game.

For fans who want to take their game on the road, MLB 09 The Show for PSP delivers big baseball action in the palm of your hand by utilizing core gameplay features found on the PS3 version. Unique to PSP, MLB 09 The Show will feature “SportsConnect News2Go” which offers fans the ability to go online to select and save the latest news feeds to their Memory Stick Duo and review at their leisure.

Exclusive for PlayStation 2 is the unrivaled “Player Creator”, providing users with endless possibilities for creating players, including everything down to their player’s face with EyeToy(R). Users can also adjust their personal rituals, swings, and even emotions as they create and place themselves in the heat of a pennant race.