Oct. 27 Kickoff for Pro Evolution Soccer 6
September 29, 2006
Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 6 for Xbox 360, PS2, and PC will hit stores on October 27, with the PSP and DS versions to come “shortly after,” says Konami. The latest version of the much-loved soccer title is still boasts its realistic gameplay and has undergone significant enhancements. Series creator Shingo “Seabass” Takatsuka has successfully refined the game’s shooting system, and the AI has been upgraded; players wihtout possession of the ball now run into and point to a position where they could receive a pass and continue the attack. In addition, players must now work to turn defenders upon receiving the ball, and the defender, in response, must back off a bit to prevent being turned.
Other new features include the following:
- international rosters now feature official kits for the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Italy
- more balanced, animated referees
- International Challenge: lead your home country through entry and tournament rounds
- Random mode: players engage in quick games with randomly generated match day settings
- full 11 vs. 11 play means 22 individually controlled players
- improvements to Master League mode
- far more realistic ball physics than ever before
- more physical play between players
- increased player animations: players pound grass after a missed shot, defenders appeal for offside calls, incredibly accurate player-specific dribbling styles
Z Rating Hurts Dead Rising in Japan
Many Japanese retail stores are electing not to display copies of Capcom’s Dead Rising, which carries a Z rating. As a result of recent changes to the rating system for video games used in Japan, sales of Z-rated games (intended only for those at least 18 years of age) are being strictly 
enforced.
Prior to the change, the ratings were used simply to inform the consumer of a game’s intended audience. Dead Rising is one of the first Z-rated games to be released after the changes made to the video game rating system, and despite the removal of decapitation and dismemberment from the game, the Z rating has been a major detriment. Though retailers may carry the game, they have largely ignored it and kept it off the shelves, fearing the repercussions of selling it to a minor. Neither Capcom nor retailers have offered comment on the self-imposed censorship of this hit game.
Peter Jackson To Work With Microsoft
September 28, 2006
In an effort to attract mainstream users to the world of Xbox 360, Microsoft has joined forces with the dapper Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson to create content for its Xbox 360. “I’m hoping to stretch the definition of interactive entertainment to go beyond the game,” said Shane Kim, a corporate vice president in 
charge of Microsoft Game Studios. The newly defined, but not yet specified, “interactive entertainment” could include deeper plot lines and more interactive drama, or delivering additional content over time, perhaps through the company’s Xbox Live online service. “It’s about making interactive entertainment a mainstream form of entertainment,” Kim said.
Jackson plans to work with Bungie Studios to create one product based on Microsoft’s already popular Halo game along with screenwriter Fran Walsh, Jackson’s wife. The other product will be aimed at an audience beyond the young men typically associated with video games. Kim couldn’t say when either of Jackson’s projects might come out. Microsoft also announced yesterday that it was working on another Halo game, called Halo Wars, which will be more of a strategy game, rather than the first-person shooter that has typified the series until now. Halo Wars will be in addition to Jackson’s creation and the previously announced Halo 3 due out next year.
Reservoir Dogs Preview
September 27, 2006
Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 cult classic Reservior Dogs is one of the coolest movies ever made. Now, that’s not so much my personal opinion as it is a fact. Moving on…
The movie picks up after the surviving members of Joe’s crew blasted their way through police (and some innocent civilians) to the abandoned warehouse after their diamond heist goes very, very wrong. The game, on the other hand, allows the gamer - who plays as any of the Mr. Colors, Nice Guy Eddie, or Joe – to 
play out the diamond heist, learn where Mr. Pink stashed the diamonds, and witness the kidnapping of (the soon-to-be-earless) Officer Marvin Nash. In typical Tarantino style, the game’s plot is revealed through a series of non-linear, intersecting story lines. The game has a feature that, surprisingly, rewards players for making shrewd, cunning decisions, and not for becoming a foul-mouthed, trigger-happy maniacs. The game’s “Threat System” lets you see how far you could push the police before they attack. You can use hostages as leverage, but play it cool; if your Adrenaline Meter climbs too high, your character will get anxious and jittery – not a good way to be when handling hostages and police presence. The Adrenaline Meter also comes into play during “Bullet Festival,” which is employed as a very unorthodox technique for crowd control when you’re out on the street. In addition, the game features the complete movie soundtrack and the vocal work of Michael Madsen, reprising his role as Mr. Blonde.
The Xbox version of the game was recalled in the U.K. because the appropriate rating of “18” (equivalent to our “M” rating) had not been printed on the disc. Australia, however, has banned the game entirely, deeming it “ultra-violent.” In this connection, British police officials have condemned the game for its excessive violence toward police. “Players can take police officers hostage and go on to burn out their eyes with a lit cigar, chop off their fingers with a cigar cutter, and hack off their ears using a scalpel, while [the police officers] plead for their lives and scream in pain,” reports The Yorkshire Post.
Reservoir Dogs will be available for PC, PS2, and Xbox on October 24.
Scarface: The World Is Yours Preview
September 26, 2006
Remember at the end of Scarface (the movie) when Sosa’s guys ambush Tony Montana and shot him about a thousand times? Well, Scarface: The World Is Yours picks up here. That tough bastard lived. He’s pissed off and wants everything back immediately. You play as Tony Montana, who has been recreated masterfully for this game. The voice, though not Al Pacino’s, is dead-on, and Tony is as power-hungry and fearless as ever. And no, this game is definitely not suited for the kiddies.
The game’s hidden agenda seems to be for you, as Tony, to “shoot, kill, taunt.” After blasting through an enemy gang, hit the B button and listen to Tony unleash a profanity-laden insult. This is the Taunt feature, which is not restricted to post-kill situations. Press the button at any time and Tony will have something to say. If you’re walking in the road and a car whizzes past, bumping Tony on the way, or if some slouch is looking at you the wrong way, hit B and Tony will tell set it straight. There’s also a feature referred to as Balls Points. Every time Tony’s mouth lets loose, you accumulate points. The culmination of these points is Blind Rage mode, which comes in handy when your health is low and you’re in hot water. During Blind Rage mode (not just a clever name), you assume a first-person view, you have unlimited ammo, and you go completely bananas!
Like that in the movie, success the game’s seedy drug underworld depends on respect, reputation, and all-around drug kingpin savvy. The game quantifies your reputation for your drug business dealings, and playing as Tony allows you to blow cash on boats, cars, henchmen, drivers, and assassins (who refuse to kill innocent people). And then there are the cops. The amount of heat you draw as you rise to the top of the drug game depends on your (surprise, surprise) Cop Heat meter. It’s important - and very pricy- to pay off the Vice to keep this meter down, as too much heat will anger the Feds, who will chase and shoot at you relentlessly, thus ending your game. Otherwise, a cop can be bribed or run from, which will definitely raise your Cop Heat status.
The game also features a very cool “Mix tape” feature that lets gamers create their own music compilations. You can listen to just the original film score by Giorgio Moroder, popular hits from the 80’s, contemporary songs, or a mix. Pre-made mixes are by genre and time period – rock, hip-hop, reggae, reggaeton, Latin, and country. The artists featured are awesome: Johnny Cash, Debbie Harry, Pit Bull, Rick James, Judas Priest, Grandmaster Flash, Burning Spear, Iggy Pop, Public Enemy, Run DMC, and Peter Tosh. Lending their vocal talents to the game are James Woods, Michael Rappaport, Ice T, Oliver Platt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joy Mohr, Roma Maffia, Cheech Marin, Tonny Chong, Ricky Gervais, Tommy Lee, Anthony Anderson, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara from Entourage, Bam Margera, and Cypress Hill’s Sen Dog and B. Real, among others.
Originally scheduled for relase yesterday, Scarface: The World Is Yours will be available on October 8 for Xbox, PS2, PSP, and PC.
Released This Week
September 25, 2006
Game Boy Advance:
Alex Rider: Stormbreaker
Backyard Basketball 2007
Backyard Football 2007
Harlem Globetrotters World Tour
The Little Mermaid: Magic in Two Kingdoms
Princess Natasha: Student Secret Agent
Rock’Em Sock’Em Robots
Strawberry Shortcake: Sweet Dreams
Unfabulous
Uno/SkipBo
GameCube:
Baten Kaitos Origins
The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy
Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2
Nintendo DS:
Alex Rider: Stormbreaker
Bubble Bobble Revolution
The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
Mage Knight: Destiny’s Soldier
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Rainbow Islands Revolution
PlayStation 2:
Dance Dance Revolution SuperNova
The Fast and the Furious
Ford Bold Moves Street Racing
Greg Hastings Tournament Paintball Max’d
The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
Just Cause
NBA 07 Featuring The Life Vol. 2 (pictured above)
NBA 2K7
NBA Live 07
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
PlayStation Portable:
NBA 07
NBA Live 07
Spectral Souls
Xbox:
Ford Bold Moves Street Racing
Just Cause
NBA 2K7
NBA Live 07
Import Tuner Challenge
Just Cause (pictured above)
NBA 2K7
NBA Live 07
PC:
Backyardigans: Mission to Mars
Barbie: Diary Mysteries
Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2007: 10th Anniversary Edition
Caesar IV
D.I.R.T.: Origin of the Species
Dora the Explorer: Dora’s World Adventure
El Matador
Family Feud
Ford Bold Moves Street Racing
Go Diego Go!
G.T.R. 2
Hidden Expedition: Titanic
Hollywood Posh Pets
Hoyle Bridge Club
Jaws Unleashed (pictured above)
Just Cause
Mage Knight: Apocalypse
NBA Live 07
Pacific Storm
Paparazzi
ParaWorld
Pony LUV
ShopMania
Weekend Play Pack
World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions
One Million Wii Units for North American Launch
One million units of the Wii console will be available for the North American launch of the format on November 19, says Ron Bertram, vice president and general manager of Nintendo of Canada. Four million Wii units are expected to be shipped before the end of the 2006 calendar year; exactly where and when these units will be available has never been made. “If we get what we’re 
supposed to get, this will be our most plentiful launch in the fifteen years I’ve been at Nintendo. All signs are actually extremely positive,” said Bertram, who also suggested that thirty Wii game titles would be available by the end of the end of the year. “Obviously the earlier you go, the less product you have available,” suggested Bertram. “Sony is trying to do what they’re trying to do - they’re trying to rule the entertainment universe with this very expensive machine. And we’re just trying to get more people playing video games and the people who are playing video games playing our system. We knew they were on the 17th but that really wasn’t a big concern for us.”
HDMI and Price Cut for PS3
September 22, 2006
In a recent interview, Sony CEO Ken Kutaragi (pictured holding a PS3) dropped some new PS3 “secrets.” First, Kutaragi quoted a price of ¥49,800 ($425) for the 20GB PS3 console (5% cnsumption tax included); the originally planned price for the PS3 in Japan was ¥59,800. The same version of the PS3 has been 
priced at $499 in the U.S. Might a price cut be on the horizon for the American market? Stay tuned. The second secret was in reference to HD capability. Kutaragi noted that in the days since the E3 press conference, “the importance of HDMI has come earlier than expected.” At the time of E3, no television included HDMI support, said Kutaragi. In the months since, however, HDMI has solidified and has been introduced to more products. Sony, therefore, has decided to include HDMI in the console. A press release from Sony states the following: Given the sharp increase in availability of flat displays supporting HDMI in the market, SCEI has decided to equip HDMI as standard on all PS3 systems. SCEI, with strong support from software developers and publishers, will offer a broad lineup of exciting and innovative titles and vigorously promote the PS3 platform.”
“Leave the Gun; Take the Cannoli”
September 21, 2006
Electronic Arts announced on Tuesday that The Godfather The Game for Xbox 360 has shipped in North America and Europe and is now available on store shelves. Godfather goes beyond the films and book to virtually recreate The Godfather fiction throughout 1940’s-50’s New York City. Players will relive classic Godfather moments alongside unforgettable and memorable characters from the film such as Luca Brasi, Pete Clemenza, Sonny, Tom Hagen, and of course, Don Vito Corleone himself; James Caan, Robert Duvall, Abe Vigoda, and Marlon Brando reprised their roles lending their voices to both games.
Xbox 360’s The Godfather The Game, the MobFace technology feature allows you to customize the facial features, hair style, body type, clothing, and accessories of the lowly outsider as whom you begin the game. Through contract hits, bank heists, drive-by shootings, extortion and bribing police, you’ll be looking good on your way to becoming a feared Don.
The BlackHand control setting is the coolest. It allows the game’s mobsters to master the art of intimidation through more devastating hand-to-hand combat and more ways to make good on your threats. If someone has something you want, you can negotiate with them. If they don’t want to do business with you, you have many ways to intimidate or – if need be – eliminate them. With more analog control at your fingertips, you’re able to feel the power with every thumbstick input. As you increase your fighting skill, you increase your ability and probability of landing these incapacitating attacks.
Occasionally, a member of the Corleone family or another business associate will ask you to help them with a dilemma, and it’s up to you to determine how much force is needed to resolve the problem. Doing favors is will earn you respect, help your allies, and put you in the good graces of the Corleones. (Certain favors unlock additional surprises.) Upon reaching “Enforcer” rank, players can hire armed crew members for back-up during drive-bys and other incidences of gunplay. As you rise through the ranks, your jobs will be tougher, so you’ll need to assemble a stronger crew. EA has also expanded the not-so-family-friendly “Execution Styles” list to almost 50 executions. You’ll notice persistent facial bruising and hear many more comments from victims as you search for their weak spots. New weapons include a variety of throwable items and a burning 2×4 that allows you to perform the all new “Sicilian Candle” execution. Finally, users who play Godfather online and upload their stats when saving game progress can track themselves against other online players.
The Godfather The Game for Xbox 360 is priced at $59.99 (MSRP).
More X360/HD-DVD Details From MS
September 20, 2006
Microsoft announced this morning the launch of its Xbox 360 console in India and Africa. The rollout plans (India this week and Africa next week) were announced in Tokyo by Corporate Vice President Peter Moore.
In addition, Microsoft announced its first plans to sell the add-on HD-DVD player for the Xbox 360. The basic Xbox 360 doesn’t come with a built-in next-generation DVD player and the added accessory is seen as keeping pace with Sony’s PlayStation 3, which will feature that company’s new Blu-ray high definition DVD player. The HD-DVD add-on will cost 19,800 yen (US$170; euro135) in Japan, bringing the combined cost of the basic Xbox 360 and the HD-DVD player to nearly the same price as that anticipated for the PlayStation 3 in Japan. The HD-DVD add-on will be released on Nov. 22 (other reports say Nov. 17) in Japan, which already has deep allegiance to homegrown Sony. Microsoft has plans to release the HD-DVD elsewhere, but spokesman Yasuyuki Saito could not give specifics about what other markets are targeted or what the release schedule would be. U.S.-based Microsoft is looking for ways to boost sluggish sales in Japan, and Saito described the addition of the HD-DVD as “important to the market.”
Microsoft also announced an imminent free software update for all Xbox 360s that will boost high-def resolution from 720P to 1080P. Only the $599 PS3 has the higher-quality 1080P output.
Finally, Microsoft promised 110 game titles available for the Xbox 360 in Japan by year’s end, addressing a common complaint by video fans who said PlayStation offered more choices. As previously reported by VideoGameButtons.com, PS3 was initially planned for earlier this year but has been postponed twice. PS3 will hit stores in Japan on Nov. 11 and in the United States on Nov. 17.
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