Newsdump

XPS3

Been wondering how PS3's online service can hope to compete with Xbox Live? We sure have. Looks like the answer has arrived: Next GenerationreportsthatXfire, a popular PC online game browser and chat system, is prepping a PS3 version - one that will be compatible with the upcoming Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, according to leaked info. Sony: making a smart decision today. If you can't develop it yourself, just buy it. When asked for comment, Ken Kutaragi, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment said "Cancel those plans. We'll ship the thing with a tin can and a spool of string and you'll goddamn like it." Well, he didn't, but it's almost believable at this point, isn't it?

Gruff GRAW

Have we ever told you how much we just love free stuff? A lot. Today, Ubisoft announced that they will be ratcheting up the intensity of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter for the PC with a free multiplayer map pack. This will be their third boost for the game, and include the classic "Siege" multiplayer mode, in addition to tripling the amount of co-op players to 12. This "Original Ghost Recon Co-op Mode" puts you and 11 buddies (in three teams of four) in a frantic race to reach the extraction point. You'll have to race overhere to get the Map Pack first, though.

Chintz of Persia

The first Prince of Persia game for the PSP was a little disappointing - it just rehashed series low Revelations with some tweaks (and some new failings). Well, prepare for more of the same, but better. Asreported by our British sister site GamesRadar UK, Ubisoft has plans to shove out The Two Thrones -which we liked a great deal, to be fair - with some changes and a new title (Rival Swords). The big bonus, as the new title suggests, is multiplayer - in which two princes compete to screw up each others' time-bending acrobatics. It sounds cool, but we'll believe it when we see it. When's the last time you saw a publisher put actual effort into farting out a PS2 game on the PSP?

iTendo

Next Generationreports that Apple is getting in on the game - by offering downloadable classics (like Pac-Man) and casual titles (think Texas Hold 'em) on iTunes. For $4.99 each, you'll be able to fill your iPod with something besides the new Paris Hilton album. This isn't too exciting for gamers like us that pack a PSP or a DS, but if you're traveling light, it might help kill some time. You can load up your fifth-generation iPod with Tetris and Bejeweled right now if you're in the mood - just fire up iTunes and go for it.

Namco Bandai TGS list TK

We're off to see Namco Bandai's PS3 lineup tonight - getting a sneak peak before Tokyo Game Show, which begins September 22. But it looks like we've got an idea what we'll be seeing in Japan already - thanks to the fact that the company posted up its product lists (one forNamco, one forBandai) for the massive event on its Japanese website. We'll skip the crap and just tell you what you want to know: as far as PS3 goes, Ridge Racer 7 and Mobile Suit Gundam will appear. Nothing for Wii is on offer, however. Bandai has a crapload of PS2 games in store... or a load of crap PS2 games. As far as anything you might want, it strikes with a new Naruto and the second volume of .hack//G.U. Namco goes bigger on PSP, with Ridge Racer 2, Ace Combat X and a couple of Tales RPGs that we will likely never see in the US.

New screens

Heavenly Sword (PS3)
The Godfather (360)
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes(PC)
Lair (PS3)
Bioshock (PC,360 )
Tenchu Senran (360)
Sam & Max (PC)
Family Guy (PSP,Xbox,PS2 )
Pacific Storm (PC)
Chicken Little: Ace in Action (PS2,DS )
Disney's Meet the Robinsons (PS2)

New video

Tenchu Senran (360)
Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2 (GC)
Sam & Max (PC)
Chicken Little: Ace in Action (PS2,Wii )
Disney's Meet the Robinsons (PS2,Wii )

September 12, 2006