411mania gives a rundown on this week's game releases. Highlights include Retro Game Challenge, Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad/Bikini Zombie Slayers, X-Blades, and Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection.

Retro Game Challenge (DS)
The challenges do not require you to finish each game. However, all of the games are complete, so you can if you want to. They can take up to eight hours or longer to beat and are not what I would consider shovelware - there is some depth to all of them. One of the action games, for example, has its own power-up screen where you can use certain items you've collected to improve your character. Abilities such as jumping higher and throwing more projectiles are essential for getting further in the game. Another example is how one of the racing games has a very cool drifting mechanic which makes it much more interesting than most of the others that I played in the 80s. So, at the very least, some of the games offered here rival those that were actually released back in the day.

Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad (360) / Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers (Wii)
This week's releases of Bikini Samurai Squad and Bikini Zombie Slayers mark Onechanbara's first official appearance in the US. It originally started out as one of D3's Simple Series games in Japan. History lesson: The Simple Series is made up of mostly budget titles that rip off other successful games. The low-budgetness isn't always a bad thing though, as it gave the developers some freedom to experiment, which is probably how Onechanabara was born. I mean, where else would they have gotten the idea for zombie-hunting bikini-and-cowboy-hat-wearing girls with swords? Somehow, Onechanbara was popular enough to break away from its Simple Series roots and has spawned quite a few sequels.

X-Blades (PC, PS3, 360)
After playing the retail version I can safely say that this game is fun for a hack-and-slasher. There isn't anything new or...
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It looks like a scary week in gaming; perfect for valentine's day!
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Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that Nippon Ichi Software's Rhapsody ~A Musical Adventure~ will be released by Square Enix across PAL territories on 20th March 2009, exclusively on the NintendoDS handheld system.
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Destructoid writes: Square Enix is looking after European weeaboos who need a dose of Persona 4 and some NIS classics, as it will be bringing Atlus' latest PS2 RPG, along with Disgaea DS, Rhapsody DS and Disgaea 3 to the PAL territories.
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NIS America announced today that Rhapsody ~A Musical Adventure~ has stormed to North American retailers and is in stores now.

Developed by Nippon Ichi Software Rhapsody is a unique musical RPG title that truly appreciates the dual screen lay out of the Nintendo DS. With a simple yet exciting battle system and a comical storyline, gamers will rediscover the classic RPG genre.
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Last night publisher NIS America revealed their fall lineup, and for the first time in memory there was a lack of PlayStation support. Instead the company, known for its charming RPGs and affection for hand-drawn anime art over 3D cutscenes, revealed a major push into the Nintendo DS market. Makes sense, seeing as neither PS3 nor PSP have the same kind of pull as DS at this point. So, what do level-grinding RPG fanatics have to look forward ...

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Chris Jacob of Gizmodo writes:

"Dealzmodo has a ton of great deals on audio and video gear today, along with some big discounts on big-name games. Check out the combo deal on the Bravia, and the great price on the Sennheiser headphones."

The fantastic deals today in gaming (copypasted from the article) are :

• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Game of the Year Edition (360) for $29.98 plus free shipping (normally $37).
• Bioshock (PS3) for $19.99 (normally $28).
• The Bigs 2 (360/PS3) for $39.99 plus free shipping (normally $54).
• DSi Console with Rhythm Heaven for $169.99 plus free shipping (normally $198).
• Halo Wars (360) for $30.99 plus free shipping (normally $37).
• Guitar Hero 5 plus Guitar Hero Van Halen (360) for $54.90 (normally $110).
• Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage and Pitt Expansion (360) for $14.90 (normally $20).
• Nintendo Wii Remote Controller for $27.99 plus free shipping (normally $38).
• Penny Arcade Episode 2 (360) for 800 Points (normally 1200 Points).
• Rise Of Lost Empires (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $0.99 (normally $2.99).
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If you've been thinking about getting a Nintendo DSi, in blue, Amazon.com just started a great deal. Amazon.com is offering Rhythm Heaven for free when you purchase a Matte Blue Nintendo DSi system.

Details from Amazon.com:
"Buy the DSi Matte Blue and get Rhythm Heaven free. Simply checkout with both items in your cart now through June 27, 2009 and you will receive the savings at checkout. *Taxes may apply. Limit one per customer. Must be sold and shipped by Amazon.com to qualify. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to terminate or modify this promotion."
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Destructoid writes: Hello? Is anyone reading this early? Well, for any readers that are we've got some last minute event news for you. Nintendo is setting up Rhythm Heaven lounges around the country for people to be able to test out the game. The event actually started yesterday, but everyone was working on Friday and Saturday is when all the cool kids will be there anyway. Plus, for those in Chicago the party rolls in on Sunday too, so they can party twice in one weekend.
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411mania talks about this week's game releases. Highlights include Oboro Muramasa, Suggoi! Arcana Heart 2, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, Hammerin' Hero, Professor Heinz Wolff's Gravity, and Rhythm Heaven.
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