Latest Fitness Craze Sweeps the Nation

Wii Fit, the latest fitness craze to sweep our shores is heading around the UK in a national tour which kicks off this week. Whether its shopping centres or universities, Nintendo and their team of Wii Fit staff will be hitting the streets to show you just how easy and fun it can be to exercise in your living room with Wii Fit – regardless of age or fitness level.

Starting this week in Bristol, the Nintendo Wii Fit tour will visit a number of events, shopping centres and universities across the country until the end of June including the Grand Designs Show in London and hot spots in Newcastle, Sheffield, Manchester, London, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Southampton.

If you loved the energetic nature of Wii Sports you’ll love Wii Fit, which makes it easy for everyone to experience a fun and interactive way to exercise which launches across the UK on 25th April 2008. So if you’re looking for a fun and easy way to incorporate fitness into your daily routine but not sure where to start then head down to one of the events for your chance to try for yourself.

Wii Fit is an easy, simple and enjoyable way for every member of the family to incorporate exercise into their daily routine. Whether you have used a Wii before or this is your first time experiencing the console, with over 40 fun and entertaining exercises, it is designed to appeal to everyone. With a collection of fun activities and exercises in the areas of aerobics, yoga, strength and balancing, Wii Fit encourages all the family to become more physically active on a daily basis.

Wii Fit comes with the Wii Balance Board, a wireless, pressure sensitive board that is placed on the floor in front of your television and console. Used in the majority of exercises, the Wii Board registers your movement as you stand on it, with the personal trainer character on the screen mirroring your actions and giving you advice. Combining this with the Wii Remote, which you simply need to pick up and point at the television, Wii Fit is simple and straightforward for anyone to use – regardless of age or fitness level.

Get ready to exercise in the comfort of your own living room as Wii Fit launches across the UK on April 25th 2008 for the estimated retail price of £69.99 with the Wii console priced at £179.99.
 

Rock heavyweights Def Leppard have partnered with Activision Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero® III: Legends of Rock on an epic three-song track pack that will give fans an exclusive opportunity to sample the band’s #1 new radio single, “Nine Lives,” five days before their upcoming studio album Songs from the Sparkle Lounge releases on April, 29, 2008.

The single is the result of Def Leppard’s groundbreaking collaboration with country music legend Tim McGraw, and will be featured on their highly anticipated upcoming record Songs from the Sparkle Lounge, the band’s first new studio release since 2006’s YEAH, which begins yet another remarkable new chapter in the band’s 30-year recording career.

The track pack also features live versions of “Photograph” and “Rock of Ages,” two of Def Leppard’s most beloved chart-toppers from their multi-platinum Pyromania album.

“Being involved with Guitar Hero is very exciting for us and adds a whole new layer of appreciation," says Joe Elliott, lead singer, Def Leppard. "I know from personal experience how much more you get into the music by playing the game - which is why we were keen to explore this opportunity. Guitar Hero is extremely popular with all kinds of music heads, which includes a lot of our fans- and we think releasing ‘Nine Lives’ this way first is just fantastic!"

“We are extremely thrilled to be partnering with Def Leppard, who are true rock icons,” said Dusty Welch, Head of Publishing for RedOctane. “The band’s participation in offering ‘Nine Lives’ to fans exclusively via Guitar Hero III downloadable content before their album hits store shelves, before the single is available for purchase on iTunes, demonstrates the level of commitment these legendary artists are making to Guitar Hero and how the franchise is transforming the music landscape.”

The track pack will be available for Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft on April 24, 2008 and will be available in early May in the PLAYSTATION®Store for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock offers the ultimate rock experience with new wireless guitars, freshly added content and features including a multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a host of exclusive unlockable content and visually stunning rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer modes allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true rock status as they riff through a star-studded soundtrack including master tracks by legendary artists such as Aerosmith, Guns ‘N’ Roses, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam, as well as original songs by guitar icons Slash and Tom Morello. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is now available and is rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB. For more information visit www.guitarhero.com

Speedball 2 tournament is a futuristic sport with a mixture of skill and heavy contact, based in the year 2326. rival gangs create an ultra violent sport called speedball. Both teams wear heavy gear and use a steel ball to score goals and make points to win the game, there’s no rules, so you can pretty much beat, crunch and body check your way to victory.

Firstly to install the game i had to register my game through steam(http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=getsteamnow) and wait several hours for steam to validate my serial number, after that that game started to install, but instead of installing from the disc it downloaded the files from steam, so i had to wait even longer to get into the action.

Once all thats over you enter a simple and easy menu to navigate, in single player you get some fun well known game types which include knockout, this mode lets you play with friends on the same computer, control pads are also compatible which makes this mode better, you can even have 4 players (2v2). The second mode you can do is a league(career mode), there are 4 leagues all together with 14 matches played, you get promoted from a league if you finish first or second. Each season gives you credits to spend to recruit new players or even upgrade them. Again the league mode is very much based on today’s sports but still fun to play. Cup mode consists of 8 rounds and you play 2 legs every round, there’s also practice mode which helps in the early stages of the game.

Graphically i think the game looks decent, you wont be impressed but they are decent enough. The crowd atmosphere is quite nice. The player graphics are a little robot like and don’t move to fluently like they do with other sports games. same with passing, it can be quite hard to even see the ball at times and you wonder if you still have the ball, then you notice the AI team is running up the other end with it. Multi player is the big highlight for me, if you can get past the certain flaws in the game its a really good game to play, local player is really easy to do if you have extra controllers, online play is really easy to setup, a quick registration on the speedball website and your ready to log in and go. The website lets you create a profile, blog about matches, a friends list to show who is online, gallery to share your screenshots, match statistics of all your online games and you can also combine your teams in to clans, all good stuff for the online element of the game.

Game controls are very easy to pickup but not that easy to control on the field. Very simple WSAD to move, mouse clicks to shoot, lob pass, body check and shoulder check. They are the basics and that’s all you really need at first. The thing about the controls is its so hard to keep hold of the ball , passing and shooting isn’t accurate and you really need to practice your passing and shooting skills before playing, the control of the characters only turn in 8 directions unlike other sport games where players can turn at all angles.

Overall i think its a good buy if your into your multi player games, an essential to any sports enthusiast or hardcore fan of the series. There are some flaws and single player doesn’t really cut it for me. Its still a fair game and worth a try.

Game play 7/10 not easy to pass and shoot, ai is quite tough, multiplayer is fun though

Graphics 7/10 not the best but good enough

Sound 7/10 sound effects and music fair well with the game

Overall 7/10 Once you get into it and after the loading not a bad game at all , worth a purchase.

Format: Nintendo DS™
Launch Date: 04/20/08
ESRB: E (Everyone): Mild Cartoon Violence
Game Type: Dungeon RPG
Players: 1
Developer: CHUNSOFT

Game Information

KEY INFORMATION
For years, Pokémon fans have captured and battled with Pokémon. Now, a pair of new games invites players to become Pokémon, returning to a fantastic land untouched by humans and inhabited only by Pokémon. Players must join a Pokémon guild and start a journey to find out why they’ve been turned into Pokémon, all the while trying to stop a misguided thief bent on stopping time and plunging the world into darkness.
 

• In both games, randomly generated dungeons make every mission unique-players never see the same dungeon twice. Strategic battles enhance the adventure, and with hundreds of Pokémon, items and moves, the action has never been so intense.
• With more than 490 Pokémon appearing in the two games, players are sure to find their favorite Pokémon. All of these Pokémon can eventually join players’ expedition teams, offering limitless options when forming a team for their next journey.
• Players now can use Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection to rescue friends in trouble, or send out an SOS Mail if they are in need of rescue. Rescue notification messages can be received via PC or cell phone, so players always know when a friend is in trouble. There are also new special items that can be traded wirelessly.

Game storyline: The same engaging storyline drives both Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness: Waking up on a beach with no recollection of how they got there, players suddenly find themselves being addressed by a Pokémon - proof that they’ve been turned into Pokémon themselves. After a brief and bewildering conversation, this friendly Pokémon encourages players to join an exploration guild and seek out the reason for this mysterious transformation. But there’s more than one Pokémon who’s out of place in this world: Someone has traveled back in time and is trying to steal special items called Time Gears, thus halting time and blanketing the world in perpetual darkness. Players must rally their exploration teams and, with the help of the guild, find and prevent their enemy from destroying the world. Set in a land inhabited solely by Pokémon, it’s a deeply moving story of exploration, betrayal, adventure and - most of all - friendship.

How to progress through the games: Players join an exploration guild and set out on a mission to find treasure and help other Pokémon in trouble. There are many dungeons and various floors to explore, and because the layout of each dungeon is randomly generated, they’re different every time. When players perform an action such as walking or attacking, the opponent Pokémon in the dungeon will perform an action, no matter where they are in the dungeon. To clear dungeons and complete missions, strategy and logic are key.

Characters: By answering a series of personality questions at the start of a game, players become one of 16 different Pokémon that best suits them. Players then must choose one Pokémon to be a partner. More than 490 Pokémon can become players’ friends and join their exploration teams, including all of the new Diamond and Pearl Pokémon.

Special powers/weapons/moves/features: The graphics have been greatly improved from the last Dungeon games. More detailed dungeons and environments draw players even further into the fantastic, vibrant world of Pokémon. The new games also employ a turn-based battle system that is far different from other traditional Pokémon games.

As in the previous Pokémon Dungeon game, players can ask other players to come to their rescue when their team is defeated in a dungeon. Normally, when players are defeated, they lose their money and some items. However, if a friend succeeds in rescuing them, players now can continue their adventure from where they left off without losing any money or items. Also, instead of the previous password system, players now have the option to send out a rescue request using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or an e-mail message, so help is never far away.

Because players have become Pokémon, they now can fully communicate with other Pokémon. Instead of using a Poké Ball to capture Pokémon as in past games, players must use diplomacy to recruit them to join their expedition team. They also have the ability to link together a Pokémon’s moves and use up to four together for a devastating combo.

Barcelona, April 17, 2008 - Gammick Entertainment and Abylight announce the development of Elite Forces: Unit 77 for Nintendo DS ™.

A series of mysterious disappearances of high profile personalities from the worlds of science, industry and entertainment reveal a horrific global terrorist threat. With the clock running and the lives of the hostages and millions of others in danger, the international community’s last hope lies with an extremely covert and highly specialized military team: Unit 77. Made up four professionals who are the best in the world at what they do, Unit 77 must combine skills to stop massive world destruction by the hands of terrorists.

Elite Forces: Unit 77 for Nintendo DS ™ is a game of action and strategy in which the player must wisely use the abilities of all four members of Unit 77 and they are: Bill "The Drill" Matic technology specialist and legendary hacker; Kendra Chase, ex-government black-ops agent and the most accurate sniper on Earth; TK Richter, jet pilot and explosives expert, and Dag Hammer, a hulking heavy artillery soldier capable of incredible physical feats.

The group must infiltrate the bases where terrorists hold the famous hostages, each base set up in one of the most treacherous and remote places on Earth. Unit 77 must battle their way through inhospitable jungles, scorching deserts and endure harsh and deadly arctic conditions as they fight to rescue the hostages and defeat the terrorists.

The countdown has begun, and it’s time for the few and the brave. Will you become a terrorist’s victim or do you have what it takes to be on the team of Elite Forces? See it at www.gammickentertainment.com

Elite Forces: Unit 77 will be released on Q4 2008

Romp Some Dungeons with the Cutest Ninja-for-Hire Around

IRVINE, California - April 16, 2008 - Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns for Nintendo DS^TM, starring everyone’s favorite careless, jobless, and penniless female protagonist with a love for dungeon crawls. Combining zany characters and hilarious dialogue with hardcore dungeon RPG gameplay, Izuna 2 stands out from the crowd with its unique and memorable RPG experience. This sequel offers more game content, combat options, and RPG depth. Also, the lead character’s a sexy, self-absorbed ninja.

Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns is currently scheduled to release on July 22.

Official Website:
http://www.atlus.com/izuna2

Key Features:
- Play hardcore with Izuna - Get in the action by combining down-and-dirty old-school dungeon RPG play with the cutest girl ninja ever, for a "stimulating" RPG experience.
- TAG team system - Take any two party members into a dungeon for a greater range of combat strategy. Combine power to unleash fierce TAG attacks.
- More Izuna than ever before - Get everything that made the original game a fan favorite, plus more! This bigger, better package includes more dungeons, items, enemies, characters, as well as a wacky new story, side quests, and TAG team system.

Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns has been rated "T" for Teen with Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes by the ESRB.

About Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns Izuna and her gang are back - and just in time for a wedding! Lured by the promise of free food (Why else would Izuna attend?), the festive event becomes a puzzling mystery when Izuna’s sidekick Shino suddenly disappears, off in search of her long-lost sister. And making matters worse, the foreign gods have also arrived on Japanese soil, and they aren’t very happy with the meddlesome, unemployed ninja. With disgruntled deities on the warpath, a sidekick to track down, and a missing sister out in the wild, it could all shape up to be one of Izuna’s more exciting adventures. Sounds like a lot of work for a girl out of a job!
 

Like traditional vertically-scrolling shooters, the game features a top-down perspective and players fly from the bottom of the screen towards the top, shooting at any ship or structure that obstructs their path. As players progress, they can collect power-ups to increase their weapon or shield strength, and an all-new Force System enables gamers to collect up to five orbiting satellites that can be held close to the ship for defensive cover, or can be sent out for additional firepower. Players can also decide how they want to play, choosing from three control schemes – Nunchuk™ and Wii Remote™, Wii Remote only (held sideways) or the Classic Controller™.

“There is a lot of excitement surrounding WiiWare and we are proud that Star Soldier R will be one of the titles available on the platform,” said John Greiner, President and CEO of Hudson Entertainment. “For Hudson, the potential of WiiWare is endless, and gamers can be certain that we will be bringing additional content to WiiWare in the coming months.”