Saitek have recently released the amazing Cyborg collection of PC hardware, which is said to be the best gaming man / machine interface range, with the most feature packed fastest reacting equipment you can hope to get your hands on in this price range.

Whether your into FPS like Call of Duty or MMO’s you wont be sorry buying this kit, it seems to tailor for all games with instant switchable modes to give you the edge when in the heat of battle.

I thought I would give you a heads up on this hardware range….

Cyborg: Games controllers designed so perfectly you won’t know where you end and the hardware takes over. Controllers with reflexes as fast as your own. Controllers that fit you better than a glove. And which look so good that you’ll want to show them off.

The Saitek Cyborg range takes gaming performance to new levels, improving control, heightening the senses and helping you realise their true potential.

Cyborg Keyboard

High-end, adjustable, gaming keyboard with customisable backlighting,

programmable functions and media keys.

Multi-colour backlighting with Tru Vu illumination through keys (mix shades from Red through Amber to Green) and adjustable brightness

Touch-sensitive, backlit dashboard control panel

WASD, cursor, ‘Cyborg’ and NumPad keys can be lit independently from the rest of keyboard to highlight commonly used gaming keys

Cyborg Mode – instantly disable the Windows keys and configure the colour and brightness of your gaming keys at the touch of a button

Set and forget – persistent key illumination settings ensure colours remain even after a system reboot

12 programmable ‘Cyborg’ keys

Hard wearing, metal-plated key caps in key gaming areas

Pass-through USB, audio and microphone sockets

Enhanced multiple key presses in gaming areas for complex in-game commands

Adjustable wrist rest and keyboard rake angle (front and back)

Gold-plated connectors for USB and Audio

System Requirement:

Connectivity: USB 2.0 Windows XP, XP64 and Windows Vista (all versions)

We will try and get a review done for you for this item as soon as possible, but first thoughts are very good.

Cyborg Mouse

Fully-featured, adjustable, laser gaming mouse with 3200dpi for ultra high speed

and accuracy.

Adjustable mouse size extends or contracts to suit any size of hand or grip

Adjustable Scroll Wheel – changes click strength of scroll wheel

Programmable, 4-way, low profile hat switch

2 additional programmable buttons

3200dpi for increased precision

System Requirement:

Connectivity: USB 2.0 Windows XP, XP64 and Windows Vista (all versions)

Cyborg Rumble Pad

The PC gamepad has evolved – take your gaming to new heights with the most

adjustable gamepad in the world!

For a long time, there has been a discussion amongst gamers about which position

is best for the left analogue stick on a gamepad. Some prefer the left stick to be level

with the right stick, whereas others prefer it offset to the top left corner of the pad.

With the Cyborg Rumble Pad, you now have the choice of either position with the revolutionary Cyborg module (Pat. Pending). At the press of a button, you can remove the Cyborg module from the pad and turn it through 180º, instantly changing the configuration of the left stick and d-pad.

The features don’t stop there though; you can also program any button on the pad to become a Precision button. Once programmed, pressing this button can affect the sensitivity of either of the analogue sticks. Having trouble hitting targets through your sniper rifle when using the analogue stick to aim? Hold the Precision button down and the response speed of the stick is reduced, making it much easier to

draw a bead on your target.

The Cyborg Rumble Pad also features Saitek’s unique FPS button. We realise that many gamers (especially those used to playing on consoles) like to use their gamepads to control first person shooter games, but the majority of these games on PC do not support gamepads. To make the gamepad work in the game you need to program it using the supplied programming software. Whilst this option is still available to you, you can take all the effort out of this by pressing the FPS button on the pad. This instantly programs the pad with the keyboard and mouse commands typically used in these games, meaning you can start playing your games

even quicker.

This isn’t limited just to FPS games. Instead of being forced to use your keyboard and mouse for certain games, you can use the Saitek Smart Technology software to program any part of the pad with any keyboard or mouse command. This allows you to use the pad in any game, even those that don’t support game controllers!

Finally, the Cyborg Rumble Pad also features a driver option called X-Mode.

Increasingly, PC games are shipping with support for Microsoft’s Xbox 360

gamepad and switching the Cyborg Rumble Pad into X-Mode configures it to

work in the same way, meaning that you should have no problems with

Reversible d-pad and left analogue stick

FPS button

Precision mode function

2 quick-fire shoulder buttons

2 analogue triggers

8-way d-pad

6 responsive buttons

2 analog joysticks

Fully programmable

High quality, varied rumble forces so the gamer feels closer to the action - Using Immersion© patented rumble technology for maximum compatibility with

supported games.

Patent Pending -UK Patent Application Number 0711355.8’

System Requirement:

Connectivity: USB 2.0

Windows XP, XP64 and Windows Vista (all versions)

This bit of kit has scored 90% by the big hitters….

read the reviews here

Cyborg 5.1 Headset

True 5.1 Surround sound using integrated USB sound card with in-line volume/mute controls Low profile, rotating cans and adjustable headband for total comfort and portability Detachable noise-cancelling boom microphone 6 sonic drivers deliver precise directional audio

Unique styling - ‘Cyborg’ logo illuminates when 5.1 sound is selected

3.5mm jack included for use with MP3/CD/Handheld devices (in stereo)

VoIP ready

System Requirement:

Connectivity: USB 2.0 Windows XP, XP64 and Windows Vista (all versions)

Click here for reviews

Cyborg Command Unit

Cyborg Command Unit combines the controls essential to First Person Shooter and Strategy games in one unit making them fast and easy to reach in the heat of battle.

Instantly switch between 3 modes for First Person Shooter, Strategy and Role-Playing games Backlit ergonomic keypad with laser-etched keys for total visibility in any lighting environment 4-way analog hat switch 21 buttons including space, shift function and 3 mode states for up to 144 programmable commands

Adjustable thumb control area with 2 way tilt mechanism, slides forwards and backwards

System Requirement:

Connectivity: USB 2.0 Windows XP, XP64 and Windows Vista (all versions)

Entire Rock Band Downloadable Content Music Catalog Compatible with Rock Band 2

Rock Band 2 Makes Exclusive Debut on Xbox 360 This September

Cambridge, Mass. – June 30, 2008 – Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company in the world, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with marketing and distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), are taking the groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games to the next level this September with the release of Rock Band 2. With the original providing millions of players a new way to interact with the music and artists they love, Rock Band 2 is the next evolution of the franchise that redefined the standard for music games.

Rock Band is the groundbreaking platform that allows music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before - challenging players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune while learning to master lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals.

Rock Band 2 builds upon its foundation as the first music game to introduce co-operative band gameplay, multiple instruments, a robust online multiplayer experience, an unrivaled offering of downloadable content and raises the bar by delivering an entirely new level of depth, connectivity, authenticity and features including:

• Backwards compatibility with Rock Band downloadable music content. All previously purchased tracks will immediately load into your Rock Band 2 song list. No need to re-purchase or re-download.
• The biggest and most diverse soundtrack ever featuring some of rock’s most prolific acts, comprised entirely of master recordings.
• Major new and dynamic online modes that will connect the entire Rock Band community in more ways than ever before both locally and globally.
• More variety of instrument choices than ever before with new and improved drum and guitar peripherals, enhanced functionality and innovative new designs - all fully compatible with the original Rock Band instruments.
• And much more.

“As successful as the original Rock Band continues to be, we’ve now had the benefit of the last eight months to listen to our fans’ requests and to build upon that foundation,” said Alex Rigopulos, co-founder and CEO of Harmonix. “Rock Band 2 is a second-generation band game that will elevate the music game experience to the next level.”

Rock Band 2 will make its debut on Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this September and have an exclusive launch window in North America. Rock Band 2 will be available for additional platforms later this year.

“We expect Rock Band 2 to continue to drive an amazing social music experience on Xbox 360, said David Hufford, senior director, Xbox Product Management for the Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft. “We look forward to supporting Rock Band 2 on Xbox 360 as gamers continue to download hundreds of new music tracks from Xbox LIVE so they and their friends can perform the rock music they love most.

More details regarding features and music for Rock Band 2 will be revealed at the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit. Rock Band, the first installment in the franchise, garnered more than 40 awards including Game Critics Award: Best of Show E3 2007.

In addition, Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that The Rock Band online music store recently surpassed 15 million paid downloads since the game’s launch in late November 2007. With more than 200 tracks available to date via download purchase (complete list of tracks at http://www.rockband.com/dlc), the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band 2 is rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, mild suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

TITLE: Mushroom Men – Rise of the Fungi
PLATFORM: DS
DEVELOPER: Red Fly Studio
GENRE: Action Adventure
RELEASE DATE: October 2008

An ichorous green meteor plummets through the Earth’s atmosphere, fracturing and showering the earth with glowing green space dust that affects all forms of life nearby. Some plant life - mushrooms and cacti - acquire sentience while, the meteor twists and mutates other life forms, transforming insects and animals into semi-intelligent, warlike communities.

The story of Mushroom Men is told in Acts, each Act occurring in a completely unique environment. Each version of the game (DS and Wii) tells different portions of the history of the Mushroom Men universe. The DS and Wii versions are completely different stories from one-another. The DS version, Mushroom Men – Rise of the Fungi, is the first release and shows the development of the Mushroom nations, starting very early in Mushroom Men history. The early days of the Mushroom Men were simpler times as the Mushroom Men were just learning to walk, communicate and interact with their world. As the Mushroom Men learn how their world works, they take the player with them, developing their skills, abilities and histories up to the start of the Spore Wars.

Mushroom Men – Rise of the Fungi throws gamers into the action at the point when the different Mushroom nations form, with each claiming a different part of the world as their exclusive territory. The Bolete Tribe and the Morels live in isolation and thrive for a time in peace and quiet. The Amanitas Empire considers themselves superior to the Bolete and the Morels and remains segregated from the other nations until they build forces strong enough to conquer everyone. The Mushroom Men face many threats in this hostile new world. Their size makes them targets for all manner of creatures: spiders, beetles, hornets, and other creatures that threaten to destroy their villages. The Amanitas therefore build their forces by consuming the prosperity of other groups. Raging territorial attacks lead to the terrible Spore Wars. The mysteries of the Mushrooms’ origins fade completely into myth, a riddle that promises great knowledge and power to the one who can find its answer…

Mushroom Men – Rise of the Fungi tells the story of the birth of the Mushroom Men. It starts out with the simple tribe of Bolete learning to live off the land. They struggle against their environment for a time until the Amanitas Empire arrives. To their dismay, the Bolete learn that their fellow Mushroom Men aren’t any better than the hostile insects and other creatures that threaten them.

Mushroom Men – The Spore Wars for Wii & Mushroom Men – Rise of the Fungi for DS will be available across North America & Europe from October 2008.

Wolf of The Battlefield: Commando 3
Review by Nintenfan1989

Following the amazing 1985 smash hit Commando and the 1990 master-piece which was Mercs, Wolf of The Battlefield has a lot to live up to.
Its been 18 years since the last game and surprisingly enough the gameplay stays fairly true to its origins, you grab a gun and run through enemy territory killing bad guys and saving POW’s.

Sadly I feel the graphics have taken the series in the wrong direction, gone are the 2D but wonderfully detailed graphics of Mercs, and in are the slightly plain 3D graphics of WoTB.
Don’t get me wrong, the graphics aren’t awful, but they are slightly dull. The environment lacks certain detail and lighting effects are next to non-existent, luckily there is so much going off on the screen that you wont notice lack of detail unless you look for it.

The gameplay is pretty action packed, you run through enemy territory with the left analog stick, and gun everything to death with the right, hundreds of enemies are running at you from all sides and your literally dodging bullets every inch of the way.
With bullets are flying everywhere, its a damned good thing your character is hard as nails, no man i know can take a round of machine gun fire to the head, jump on a dozen land mines and blow himself up with a rocket launcher… and still be running round like nothing has happened, you never loose much health and there is always health packs near by, it makes this game much more easy then the previous 2, this is probably because Capcom no longer feel a need to take our 20p pieces away from us.

What you will notice is the bad collision detection, through out the game your bullets will be stopped by invisible barriers placed near boxes and tank traps, while it can be damned annoying it doesn’t actually distract from the fun, yep, through all its problems the gameplay is still very fun, just like the previous 2, it has its faults but is still very entertaining.
You can switch weapons just by walking over a weapon crate, and since there isn’t any ammo your weapon lasts until you pick up a better one. This includes a lot of guns, Machineguns, Flamethrowers, Rocket Launchers, Shotguns and a wide variety of others, the Rocket Launcher is the most useless weapon i have ever used but except from that they are all really cool.

What isn’t cool though is the vehicle control system, the cars handle like they are floating and unless you have a friend handy to control the gun then it will only fire straight in front of you, this kind of breaks away from the excitement of the 1 man army that Mercs and Commando had, and instead tries to get you to team up with others.
Good thing it has an Online Mode, so even if you don’t have any friends you can still enjoy a full 3-player game.

There isn’t much to say about the story, its a kind of run of the mill action story, meaning there isn’t much of one, but the little cartoony cut-scenes are good and very stylishly done.
On the mention of Cartoony and Very Stylishly Done i have to give extra notice to the Title Menu, it looks brilliant, possibly the best game menu i have ever seen and right at the bottom is a very nice little extra from Capcom… special access to the Beta of the new Street Fighter game.

Over all the game is worth getting if you don’t already have a Run and Gun Shoot em up, it does have a few problems but it is still entertaining, its a game you can quickly jump into for 10 or 20 minutes with out having to study a play guide.
Its all fairly simple stuff and most of the game is the same thing over and over, so your never really forced to learn anything new. The boss battles are slightly boring after a while, but least its something different from the same handful of the far too similar enemies which attack over and over with out rest.
Vehicles spice up what would have been a boring experience and there is also the gun turrets which are brilliant fun to play with, sadly some of them have been placed where it makes the bad collision detection as obvious as possible.

Gameplay: 7/10 - While its pretty much the same thing through-out, it is still very fun.

Graphics: 6/10 - while not bad, they aren’t anything special, apart from the Title Menu which is brilliant.
Story: 2/10 - not much of a story at all.
Sound: 4/10 - once again, its not bad, but its plain.
Controls: 6/10 - would be really good if the vehicle controls was better.
Overall: 6/10 - It has faults, and its pretty plain, but overall it is fun and you do get the Beta version of Street Fighter to try out as well. Give the Trial a try, you may enjoy it.

UNHCR voluntarily registers Against all Odds with PEGI Online

Monday 30th June/…The Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) announced today the PEGI Online registration for Against all Odds, a video game created by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The game, which increases students’ awareness and knowledge about the plight of the world’s refugees, has been given a 7+ rating and is available for download free at www.playagainstallodds.com

Against all Odds places players in a variety of refugee situations to promote understanding particularly amongst children and teenagers. “Against all Odds has proved a very popular online game ever since its launch in 2005,” says Peter Kessler, UNHCR spokesman in London. “Hundreds of thousands of kids learned about the life of refugees by playing this game. Given its popularity, we wanted to make sure that very young children are not exposed to unsuitable content, even though the game is primarily educational and not available for sale. In addition to the PEGI Online logo we display the 7+ rating on the game website,” Kessler declares.

In the UK, ELSPA (Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association), was one of the founders of the European industry body ISFE, Its Director General, Paul Jackson said today: “The PEGI Online age ratings system is incredibly important and designed to protect children when playing games online. It is future-proof and has been developed as part of the PEGI age ratings system which is featured on all boxed products released across Europe.

“For us, the UN’s commitment to PEGI Online is clear evidence of the reputation the system has across Europe for helping to protect younger gamers to ensure that they are only playing appropriate games for their age group. The system also ensures parents are empowered to make the right choices for their children when purchasing games in any of 27 countries across Europe..

“We will also be providing a link for downloading Against All Odds on our advice website AskAboutGames.com. This is a game with a social conscience and we are delighted to help promote it.”

Commitment to PEGI Online code of conduct
“The registration of Against all Odds by UNHCR is great news for us,” adds Patrice Chazerand, Secretary General of ISFE. “The game is a wonderful example of how the unparalleled ability of video games to elicit undivided engagement and to foster the acquisition of knowledge through active involvement can be used for educational purposes on a pan-European level. We are therefore delighted that UNHCR has voluntarily registered with PEGI Online, demonstrating its commitment to our Code of Conduct for online game providers. I believe this decision sets a positive example for many other providers of online videogames who care about protecting minors and promoting human rights, but have yet to join PEGI Online”.

PEGI Online, initiated more than a year ago by ISFE, is the extension of PEGI, the Pan European Game Information System. Currently used in 27 countries in Europe and beyond, PEGI protects minors against unsuitable content by helping parents to make informed buying decisions.

Companies that register with PEGI Online (see www.pegionline.eu ) commit themselves to offer only games duly classified by established European rating agencies, to ban inappropriate material from their online gaming sites, to ensure appropriate behaviour among users and to provide effective reporting mechanisms.

Ignition Entertainment, a UTV Enterprise and worldwide publisher and developer of videogames, in conjunction with SNK Playmore announced today that Metal Slug 7 for Nintendo DS™ will be released this fall.

Developed by SNK Playmore Corporation and published by Ignition Entertainment, Metal Slug 7 follows in the footsteps of its predecessors by continuing to deliver the high-energy and frantic, fast-paced 2-D shooting action that the franchise has always been widely renowned for.

Players will join Marco, Tarma, Eri, Fiolina, Clark and Ralph as they prepare to take on Modern’s Forces across 7 new missions that will bring them from Garbage Island to the Fortress of Ruins and beyond. Aside from featuring 7 brand new and fully detailed missions and six playable characters, Metal Slug 7 will also feature a host of new weapons, colossal new bosses, new Slugs to pilot and new gameplay modes for added replay value.

“Truth be told, I have a pink DS and was embarrassed to play it in public. Now with Metal Slug 7 loaded, I have no qualms,” said Ajay Chadha, President of Ignition Entertainment. “Needless to say, and in all seriousness, we are very excited to announce our partnership with SNK Playmore USA to give both core and casual gamers a whole new insight into the unique, all-action, eye-popping world that is Metal Slug.”

First released in 1996, the Metal Slug series has continuously dazzled legions of fans with its awesome variety of frenetic action and superbly balanced, non-stop gameplay. Its unique art style and memorable boss battles have been hailed as sheer artistry and have been acclaimed by game fans of all genres.

C.O.R.E.

Available on Nintendo DS

Poland, Warsaw 30th June 2008. NoWay Studio is pleased to unveil the first video footage from the forthcoming debut game entitled C.O.R.E. a dynamic fast paced action first-person shooter for Nintendo DS. The plot-line revolves around a meteor crash and its consequences. The footage is a mixture of the game intro movie and in-game footage.

For the last 14 months, the team have been stiriving to push the limits of the Nintendo DS with full 3D visuals. This “next generation” title is set to bring th e gaming experience of the FPS on a handheld - previously only matched on a PC. They have created multiplatfom levels introduced by in-game movies, some of which will be presented in 3d.

As a marine, you are sent with a secret mission into the lab complex built on the meteor crash site. You will travel through different locations - first on the ground, then deeper underground (security rooms, living sectors, offices, labs, stock rooms, headquarters), then even deeper into the meteor rock. Your aim: to discover mysteries about the meteor by solving quests. The final quest comes deep down underneath the earth, where the biggest secret is hidden. Only you can survive this task and protect mankind.

Features
Mysterious atmosphere intensified by heavy music and advanced graphic solutions
Complete 14 big shocking and breathtaking levels
20 different enemies ranging from insane marines and mad scientist to big deadly mutants and discover secret rooms and sp ecial quests.
Choose among 8 types of guns, such as: blaster, shotgun, plasma gun or rocket launcher. Some of them will have alternative shooting options or optical zoom.
Enjoy an interactive world of our design: climb ladders, use vehicles and operate interactive tools like switches, controllers, access cards, open boxes and barrels, break windows, benches, barrels etc.
Play multiplayer with friedsversion using classic modes like: deathmatch, capture the flag or team arena

This week Pac-Man makes a welcome return in Pac-Attack originally released on Super Nintendo in 1993. The aim of the game is simple: keep your screen clear of falling blocks and ghosts by eating them! And boy is Pac-Man hungry, as he will keep eating until he hits a dead end. Download this fun and quirky classic for 800 Wii Points.

Next up this week, will you have what it takes to destroy the Enemy Generators and defeat the Menon Guardians in Sega Mega Drive’s 1992 game Super Fantasy Zone™? Help Opa-Opa in his mission to avenge the death of his father at the hands of the evil Dark Menon. Eliminating your enemies will let you rack up gold, which you can use to buy even better weapons, upgrades and other equipment. Spend your gold wisely as each boss will present you with a different challenge. Super Fantasy Zone™ can be yours for 800 Wii Points.

Switch from guns to claws, as King of the Monsters, the action game featuring mighty battles between giant monsters, previously unleashed onto the NEOGEO in 1991 is now available to download on Wii. Six fearsome creatures rampage across Japan clashing with other monsters in order to become the definitive King of the Monsters. With special moves like fire breath and high-energy beams, get ready to devastate opponents and become the ‘Best of Beasts’! Download it today for 900 Wii Points.

And as if that wasn’t enough, disaster strikes as space pirates take over in Commodore 64’s retro, 1988 game, Cybernoid™. The dastardly fiends have stolen valuable minerals, jewels, ammunition and weaponry, and if you choose to accept your task, you must battle in your Cybernoid fighter to recover the precious cargo before time runs out for all of us! Now go, brave soldier, and outwit those pirates for 500 Wii Points!

Finally, prepare for the pinnacle of athletic achievement with the arrival of Summer Games 2™, originally released on Commodore 64 in 1985. Watched by millions of people, you must take centre stage and compete against the world’s best athletes in a 3,000 year old competition. Summer Games 2™ challenges your competitive skills with a series of athletic contests for one to eight players across eight different events: cycling, equestrian, fencing, high jump, javelin, kayaking, rowing and triple jump. Summer Games 2™ competes its way into Virtual Console’s ever-expanding list of titles and can be downloaded now from the Wii Shop Channel for 500 Wii Points.

Virtual Console offers users the ultimate retro gaming experience. This week’s titles join the list of 228 classic titles already available for Virtual Console in Europe.