Backbone
Latest
Lego Rock Band DS is peripheral-free
Warner Bros. has finally revealed the first screenshots and information about the mysterious DS version of Lego Rock Band. Unlike its DS Guitar Hero counterparts, Lego Rock Band doesn't make use of any peripherals beyond the standard DS stylus. Instead, it's an experience similar to Rock Band Unplugged on the PSP, also developed by Backbone -- in which players use the buttons to hit notes, switching between instrumental tracks throughout the song. This is wonderful news for those of us who loved Frequency and Amplitude.The major differences between Lego and Unplugged include, of course, the Lego styling and character building options, as well as the ability to hit notes using either buttons or the stylus. Lego Rock Band includes multiplayer for up to four people, and will be out Holiday 2009 along with the other platform versions. Check after the break for the first known tracks!%Gallery-70600%
Unseen64: Backbone made Mirror's Edge demo for Wii, PSP, DS
We love our Mirror's Edge as much as the next group of guys, but we don't really know what to make of this one. Unseen64 reports that Backbone Entertainment was asked by EA to make a demo for the game on Wii, DS and PSP, though the status of it is currently unknown.Judging by the couple of pieces of concept art Unseen64 is sporting, the project looks suspiciously third-person, which is puzzling at best. But who knows? Maybe we're just old men set in our crotchety ways. Maybe it could have been awesome. But with less-than-stellar sales numbers for the flagship, we're doubtful EA will be willing to spend the cash to let Faith leap onto other boxes.
Space Invaders Extreme, Arkanoid DLC invade Xbox Live
If you've got a hankering for some more alien destruction with a musical twist, you'll be happy to know that some new DLC for Space Invaders Extreme has landed on Xbox Live Marketplace. Entitled, simply, Space Invaders Extreme Expansion Pack, the DLC grants players access to the original versions of Space Invaders and Space Invaders II. According to Shacknews -- though not mentioned on the XBLM description -- the DLC will also include new stages and bosses for the main game as well. The price of entry is 240.The expected Arkanoid Live DLC arrives today as well. There are two bits of DLC, Episode Add-on Pack 1 and Episode Add-on Pack 2. The Xbox.com descriptions of the DLC are pretty vague, but we're just going to go out on a limb here and guess that each pack adds one of the two missing episodes -- the ones that are grayed out in the main menu -- to the game. Each piece of Arkanoid DLC runs for 240.Source - Xbox Live Marketplace: Space Invaders ExtremeSource - Xbox Live Marketplace: Arkanoid Live
Space Invaders Extreme hits XBLA next week (probably)
According to Shacknews, Taito has announced that Space Invaders Extreme will release on Xbox Live Arcade next week. Previously released on the DS and PSP, the game adds musical and graphical flair to the original Space Invaders. The XBLA version also brings the new addition of Xbox Live multiplayer (which you can see in the video above). The game is expected to cost 800.Keep in mind that Microsoft has yet to confirm next week's release. Expect official word on Monday.
GDC09: Downloadable titles should avoid Q4 release
In a session for developers hoping to have their downloadable titles noticed on XBLA and PSN, the panel, which included Capcom, Hothead Games, Backbone and Jonathan Blow, agreed that these games should avoid releasing during the holidays. With strong competition from major titles at retail during the holiday season, the group agreed that downloadable games are best served avoiding the rush.Age of Booty was used as an example of a solid game that was crushed under the tidal wave of the holiday releases. Downloadable games apparently see a dramatic drop in sales between late September until December. Although developers don't really have control over when Microsoft or Sony release their games, Blow noted that they'd want "March or June or August" as a release date and for downloadable games to "stay away from Christmas."
Rumor: Gauntlet DS has died
Gauntlet DS has been removed or changed to a nebulous status on several retail sites. GoNintendo took notice that the title was removed from GameStop; allegedly, Amazon told customers that the game had been "canceled." Furthermore, Eidos no longer makes any mention of the title on its site.A source familiar with the development of the title has confirmed to Joystiq that Gauntlet DS has indeed been scrapped; however, we've contacted both Eidos and developer Backbone Entertainment to learn what has (or hasn't) befallen the DS dungeon crawler. We'll update as soon as we hear something official.%Gallery-19968%
Street Fighter II HD surpasses 250K sold
Capcom has announced via the Capcom-Unity forums that Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix has sold 250,000 copies since its debut on November 25 (PS3) and 26 (360), and is on track to bring in more money than any previous downloadable game."HD Remix has shattered both day one and week one sales records and will most likely break 30 day sales records as well," associate product manager, John Diamonon, said. "It's on its way to becoming the highest grossing digital title ever." Calling the game "a labor of love for everyone involved," Diamonon thanked ... everyone involved. Oh, and like truly classy end credits, he thanked you, the player.
PS3 Street Fighter II HD priced at $14.99
Capcom popped onto the PlayStation Blog to plug the imminent arrival of Super Street Fighter II HD Remix on PSN next Tuesday, Nov. 25, and reveal the cost of admission: $14.99. Given this news, it's pretty safe to bet on the XBLA version – which arrives Wednesday, Nov. 26 – coming in at 1200 ($15), although neither Capcom nor Microsoft have announced official pricing.As we reported yesterday, those who purchase the PS3 version of the game will gain free access to the Street Fighter Underground Remix Soundtrack, a digital album download featuring Street Fighter-inspired hip-hop tracks by artists Redman, Hieroglyphics, DJ Qbert, DJ Toure, Zion I, Mistah F.A.B. and Oh No.
Street Fighter II HD beta gets bandaged
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix's recently extended "open beta" got a technical hadouken this morning, addressing a number of the issues faced by the redrawn brawler, from connection lapses to frozen consoles. Other changes include Ken's newly-nerfed dragon punch, while Capcom says that the overall online experience has seen around a 50% improvement. Notes a post on the company's blog, "While we can't do anything about high ping times, we've optimized the gameplay experience so that it's less noticeable and smoother," some of which can be seen in video form here. Still, those pining for more characters to pummel will be left wanting. According to Capcom, adding additional fighters was "technically not possible for the patch." We'll just have to wait until we get our thumbs on the full game to get our Cammy on.
Super Street Fighter II HD beta gets time extension
Just a matter of days after revealing that it will be patching various problems with the "open beta" of SSFIITDHR after all, Capcom has offered a second helping of fan service by extending the beta through September 5. The beta was originally slated to conclude on August 20.The extra play time is clearly in response to the forthcoming patch, which the most recent post on Capcom's blog states is still "coming soon." A second, earlier post on the site details some of the fixes due in the patch, including the elimination of nasty crashes when joining matches and the removal of Ken's cheesy strong Dragon Punch "juggle" bug. We look forward to finally getting in some actual quality time with the beta soon.
Joystiq E3 eyes-on: Monster Lab
Monster Lab for the Wii is one of those games that is clearly designed for a kid, but could grab hold of many adults. The head of development studio Backbone Entertainment walked us through the RPG with turn-based combat and told us the title is designed for 10- 15-year-olds, but if he'd known in advance the response from the press during E3, the company would have upped its demographic target.As it stands now, Monster Lab, which will be out this Halloween, has the player taking control of a monster that they'll upgrade over the course of the game. Various items will be collected in battles and can be fused together to form new parts for the monster back at the lab. There are mechanical, biological and chemical parts; each type being more or less susceptible to the others (mechanical > biological > chemical >mechanical). Also, the quality of new parts added to the monster will be determined through several minigames.%Gallery-28241%
Super Street Fighter II HD beta: borked, but fun
Let's get something out of the way right off: We actually bought Commando 3: Wolf of the Battlefield to play it. The fact that the purchase also got us into the beta for the "HD remix" of Super Street Fighter II Turbo? Icing on the retro-remake cake.We downloaded the SSFIITHDR beta just as soon as it went live yesterday and ... promptly had our 360s freeze up on us when we tried to set up a basic match. Not exactly a great first impression. But, it is a beta, after all. And certainly not the sort of marketing-driven "betas" we've become used to. This one is the real deal, bugs and all. But it's also a lot of fun once you get past them. (We have some tips on that, as well as our full thoughts on the beta, after the break.)%Gallery-9066%
Frogger 2 & Commando 3 xbox.com pages appear
While there has yet to be major news of them, both Frogger 2 and Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 now have their respective xbox.com pages online. Judging from the screens Frogger 2 doesn't look like its Dreamcast cousin, using sprites, a new kiddy art style, and possibly more puzzles. Commando 3 on the other hand is an arcade shooter with that Incredibles/TF2/BFH art style that seems to be gaining in popularity lately. While Frogger is a bit of a quantity, Commando 3 could be a pleasant surprise if it manages to differentiate itself from the myriad of other arcade shooter currently on XBLA. Release dates are of course unknown, but our best guess would be before the month is out.%Gallery-24324%%Gallery-24325%[Read, Frogger 2][Read, Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3]
Eidos shoots the food, confirms Gauntlet for DS
Eidos and developer Backbone are bringing Gauntlet's food-shooting, poison-eating, death-avoiding action to the Nintendo DS later this year. Eidos describes the upcoming title as a "modern reworking" of the arcade classic, thankfully returning the series to its overhead roots rather than the forgettable 3D entries of recent years. Gauntlet for the DS will once again reunite the series' iconic Elf, Warrior, Wizard, and Valkyrie, and include 40 maps across three different areas. What's more, as Gauntlet has always been been strongest when played in groups, this latest version will boast ranked 4-player co-op and competitive multiplayer modes, playable both wirelessly and over Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection. Just remember, shots do NOT hurt other players ... yet.[Via Nintendo DS Fanboy]%Gallery-19968%
Monster Lab videos for aspiring mad scientists
Those of us who aren't JC got our first extended look at Backbone Entertainment's Monster Lab earlier today, including a combat sequence and a couple of minigames from the title. To this blogger, the minigames looked a touch simplistic (more of which in a moment), but the combat, as seen in the video above, is slightly more interesting. Producer Kelly Teinton demonstrates how we'll be able to target individual parts (head, left arm, right arm, legs) of enemy monsters, and how knocking certain appendages from monsters will affect the outcome of battles.We're less enamored by the minigames. The example above sees players having to smash open crates with swings of the nunchuk, while another (viewable past the break, along with a brief interview) is based on a basic shape-matching exercise. Neither look particularly taxing or engaging, and would pose little challenge to even the youngest of gamers.%Gallery-15038%
GDC08: Monster Lab: it's a lab -- for monsters
I was able to catch a demo of Backbone Entertainment's Monster Lab at the GDC Career Pavilion, which is mostly involved with game company recruiting, but features some game demos as a function of games being what game developers do. The game is almost completely different than previously assumed, and, in a way, more interesting. What may look like an online fighting game is in fact turn-based. It's important to note this, because the game looks so strongly fighter-like. Monster Lab puts the player in the role of a new assistant mad scientist, who has to help her boss in a power struggle against other mad scientists -- by gathering and creating monster parts. The story is presented in a '50's sci-fi-movie opening and an introduction from your mad scientist boss (and his giant robot arm).
Anniversary aftermath: Next year's awesome games that you forgot about
We spent yesterday going through the big releases that've been announced for next year so far -- Smash Bros. Brawl and/or Wii Fit likely topping your personal "must get" list -- but what about the second-tier games that don't usually receive much press or attention? Though we haven't forgotten about the low-key releases, we've collected a selection of games and media to ensure that these titles stay on your mind too! Read on for our top ten list of awesome 2008 games that you totally forgot about!
Eidos laughs maniacally as it debuts Monster Lab
Our fantasies of one day becoming mad scientists never left us, our memories of afternoons spent cooking grotesque creatures and malformed bugs in our Creepy Crawlers oven still fresh in our minds. With our bedroom lights turned off and a Halloween-themed cassette tape playing in the background, we'd pull our aberrant creations out of the Mattel kiln, warbling ghoulishly, "Creeeeeeeepy Crawlers," just like in the commercials.Publisher Eidos, working to realize our childhood dreams, has lifted the curtain on Monster Lab, an original and interesting IP for the Wii due next June. Backbone Entertainment (Death Jr.) is handling development for the dark, Tim-Burton-styled RPG and will offer up to 150 different kinds of mutants for evil geniuses to experiment with.Players will have over 300 million variations to customize -- via minigames -- their mechanical, biological, and chemical monsters with before pitting them against other brutes in turn-based battles reminiscent of Pokemon. As far as online support goes, multiplayer battles, creature trading, downloadable content, and photo sharing are in the works. Grab your goggles and scamper past the post break for some Monster Lab screenshots. Don't forget to croon, "Creeeeeeeepy Crawlers," as the page loads up.
Bomberman: New maps and costumes coming
While speaking with a Hudson representative on Xbox.com, regular X3F reader AnOffday confirmed that new costumes and maps are coming to Bomberman Live. This hardly comes as a surprise, as the promotional materials sent out by Hudson include several levels and costumes not currently in the game. You can actually see some of these levels in our Bomberman Live gallery (which we've thoughtfully attached to this post. Still, it's nice to get official confirmation. Now, if only we knew the release date and price, we could have our bomb and explode it too.%Gallery-5187%
Win Bomberman Live from GamingTalkHQ
We're always keen to point our readers in the direction of free stuff, and today is no exception. Our friends at GamingTalkHQ are giving away a free copy of Bomberman Live to one lucky winner. So, what gargantuan, time-consuming task must you complete in order to enter this contest? Well, you'll have to deal with the laborious two step process of typing up a comment and clicking the "submit" button. There's always a catch isn't there? If you think you're up to this kind of hard work, we suggest you follow the "read" link for more details. The contest ends at 11:59 EST tonight, so act fast.
