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Lucky Europe receives 'Best of Halo' Xbox 360 bundle
Because Halo Wars is in dire need of more promotion and marketing (not really), Microsoft will be releasing a special edition Xbox 360 console dubbed the "Best of Halo edition". Swedish retailer Webhallen has the listing, mentioning the bundle will ship February 27th and will include all the standard 360 Pro amenities (60GB HDD, wireless controller, headset, cables, etc.) with the addition of both Halo 3 and Halo Wars. And for 2795 kr or about $350 USD, it's actually a decent deal.As far as we know, Europe will be the only market this Best of Halo Xbox 360 will see a release in. But that doesn't mean Stateside fanboys can't keep their fingers crossed and continue to pray to the prophets above.[Via Teamxbox]
Japanese 360 sales: Blue Dragon on top, console sales on the up
It is no secret that the Xbox 360 is not Japan's gaming console of choice. Just look at 2008's software sales and you'll spot just one Xbox 360 game in Japan's top 100. But that doesn't mean Microsoft's Japanese situation is a complete lost cause, because console sales are actually on the rise (year over year) and some games have sold rather well. Gamezine.co.uk put together a list of the top 30 Xbox 360 games sold in Japan, and sitting proudly on top is none other than Blue Dragon and its 203,740 lifetime unit sales. Rounding out the rest of the top five are Tales of Vesperia, The Last Remnant, Infinite Undiscovery and Lost Odyssey. As far as 360 hardware is concerned, Microsoft has been able to steadily increase console sales year after year, with 2008's total Japanese sales peaking at around 317K units. But don't get confused, the Japanese Xbox 360 situation is still very, very bleak and very, very depressing. These numbers are one of a few "bright spots."
This Wednesday: FunTown Mahjong melds tiles on XBLA
After originally being announced last Wednesday, only to be delayed seven days, the ancient Chinese tile game, in the form of FunTown Mahjong, is now available for download on Xbox Live Arcade. This 800 (yowch!) version of mahjong features one-player local or four-player Xbox Live play, a game tutorial, "vivid audio and visuals" as well as the option to "change background images and tiles." Even better: you can expand the tile fun with a Chinese Festival DLC expansion for 160 points. Why aren't you playing yet?Download FunTown Mahjong from the XBLM
Grab the in-game Gears 2 Gold Lancer for free [Update]
If you picked up your copy of Gears of War 2 used, you now have a chance to get your hands on the elusive gold-plated Lancer, which was -- until today -- only available via a voucher code included with new copies of the game. It's available now on the Xbox Live Marketplace as a free download.Don't look so surprised. Earlier in the month, Microsoft released the Flashback Map Pack -- another item initially made available only to new buyers of the game -- on the Marketplace. At least this time, the content is free. No word if it will remain that way.Update: This content seems to only be available on the Xbox.com Marketplace, not on the Xbox 360 Marketplace.Download the In-game Gold Lancer for Gears 2[Thanks Travis D!]
Spotted: Miniature Halo 3: ODST box art [update]
Update: As has been pointed out, the ODST box art appears on the Xbox.com XBLM as seen here. But we demand an even higher resolution shot. Microsoft has been contacted and we await a response.Using our almost inhuman investigative skills, we've turned up the very first picture of the official Halo 3: ODST box art which should receive thunderous applause and praise from Halo fanboys the world over. But the news won't receive said applause and we won't receive said praise, because the box art picture is a wee-bit tiny. So miniature that the picture you see above is the actual size. We're still trying to track down an embiggened version, but for now, take comfort in knowing that ODST's cover isn't going to feature rainbows or unicorns. Instead, it'll be 100% Halo l33tness.
Walmart sells boy 'redneck' version of Madden 09
Put yourself in this position. Imagine you're a young boy (somewhere around, say, 13 years old) and have saved up all your Christmas money to purchase a shiny new Xbox 360. You're now overjoyed to hear that your dad has finally got around to taking you to the local Walmart to make your Xbox purchase. After deciding on a console, you pick out Madden 09 as your first Xbox 360 game purchase. Now, still imagining you're this boy, you and your pa make your way back home where you setup your newly purchased Xbox. Caught up in the excitement, you rip open the (scotch tape sealed) Madden 09 packaging and are taken back because Madden 09 doesn't quite look like Madden 09. It looks something like the "redneck sh*t" you see above. Tears run down your cheek as you realize Walmart has failed you. Somehow, you purchased what you thought was a new copy of Madden, but was a returned and previously used copy with the disc swapped out. Oh the horror!Scariest part, this is a true story.
Halo 3: ODST will be Elite'less
Knowledgeable word coming from last night's Bungie Weekly Update is confirmation that Halo 3: ODST will not include Elite forces as an enemy. We repeat (for the hard of hearing and those who are just too stubborn to believe), Elites will not be featured in ODST. Let us take a moment of silence ... According to Bungie, the Halo timeline of events doesn't quite allow for Elite forces to be searching Earth during the timeframe ODST takes place. Something about the Prophets, their demands, mandates, blah, blah, blah. So, know that ODST will stay true to the Halo-bible, but at the expense of no Elite interaction. We'll miss their dinosaur looking selves.[Via IGN, Thanks Jonah F.]
Fan made Sonic Xbox paintjob looks angry, bathroom ready
Not too long ago we featured a Domo Kun themed Xbox 360, painted to showoff the mascot of Japan's NHK television station. Today, deviantART user ricepuppet has sent us an image of his latest work. Featuring the blue blur himself from the Dreamcast era, this Xbox 360 stars Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog as he attempts to intimidate gamers with his angry (possibly, constipated) gaze. Do not attempt to run, Sonic can smell fear.
X3F TV: Introducing the 'Porto Circuit' from SimBin's RACE Pro
Today at X3F we're happy to help reveal a brand new circuit for SimBin's upcoming RACE Pro, exclusively to our readers. The Porto track in Portugal, known as Circuito da Boavista, is a street circuit with a history that reaches as far back as the late 1950's. Taking brave racers through tight alleys in between small homes and onto cobblestone streets, the Porto track was deemed too dangerous in 1960 and was closed. In 2005, the track was reopened and adjusted, adding to its length that now sits at 5.333km. Ladies and gentlemen, the final street circuit to be added to the World Touring Car Championship: the Porto track, Circuito da Boavista.
Peggle XBLA to release in first half of 09, pricing now in question
Gamers, from hardcore to casual alike, have been waiting with bated breath for official release details regarding the Xbox Live Arcade release of Peggle but, according to Wired, the wait will soon be over. PopCap Games has confirmed with Wired that the XBLA and iPhone versions of its popular plinko-esque casual game will see release in the first half of 2009. While the company wouldn't detail a release schedule, gamers have at least some idea when the long-ago announced title will be released. In a strange development, Wired also reports that PopCap declined to comment on pricing details for the XBLA version of Peggle but we thought details had already been confirmed. In a story we reported on in September, PopCap Games vice president Greg Canessa told Uncle Gamer Radio that the upcoming XBLA release of Peggle would release at 800 ($10 USD) in an interview. X3F readers can listen to the the original interview with Greg Canessa here [Thanks, Jay]. Unfortunately, the Uncle Gamer site was experiencing technical difficulties at the time this article was published. X3F has contacted PopCap to help clear-up the pricing confusion.
Part of Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog team let go
Earlier today, Microsoft announced their layoff plans that include 1,400 job cuts effective immediately. Sadly, we now have a few faces to put to those job cutting numbers as we just caught word that two members of Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog have been let go.Chris Paladino and Nelson Rodriguez both Twittered about the dismal news, with Paladino revealing that he is "a casualty" and adding that "if anyone needs a video producer/host/pr/marketing/community/numedia guy give a yell." Rodriguez, former host of the Achievement Junkie podcast, also revealed the bad news, asking "what happened to the AJ feed. Seems like it disappeared. Time to start fro m scratch. ;-)"We never thought that the retiring of the Gamerscore Blog would result in job cuts, seeing how we were under the impression that the GSB team would be working on other projects within' the Xbox division. Best of luck Paladino and Rodriguez on your future endeavors. What a craptacular economy we live in.
Rockstar officially prices GTAIV DLC 'The Lost and Damned'
Rockstar has confirmed to Eurogamer that the upcoming DLC for Grand Theft Auto IV will be priced for the long-rumored cost of 1600 ($19.99 at retail). The Lost and Damned is said to add hours of game play as players take on the role of Johnny Klebitz, member of the Liberty City biker gang The Lost.The 1600 price-point rumor had been swirling since video game retailer GameStop added a product page for The Lost and Damned on its website. The retail version of the content will not ship on disc, instead it will be made available in the form of a redemption code that will require a connection to Live (Yes, Silver Members too). We've been operating under the assumption that the content would be 1600 for quite some time and comments we've seen don't appear to be too angry at it, considering the amount of content promised. But now that it's official, what do you think about the price to re-enter Liberty City?The Lost and Damned will become available on February 17, exclusively on the Xbox 360.%Gallery-37703%
FunTown Mahjong marches into Arcade-ville next week
Yesterday, the Xbox Live Arcade was supposed to receive two new titles to its library, at least according to Major Nelson, but only The Maw showed up. The other game in question was FunTown Mahjong, which is now slated to hit the Arcade next Wednesday. The Major updated his original post regarding the availability of FunTown Mahjong saying, "It turns out I was given incorrect information," and confirmed a XBLA version of the ancient four-player Chinese board game will hit the service on January 28 for 800. Yay?
Video: Riddick - Assault on Dark Athena 'Desperation' trailer
We couldn't have been more excited when we heard that one of the most under appreciated original Xbox titles, The Chronicles of Riddick, was going to get a next-gen upgrade. When we heard the upgrade also included an entire new campaign plus new multiplayer modes, our heads nearly exploded. Above is the latest trailer, titled "Desperation," for The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, which showcases stealth action, both hand-to-hand and weapon combat, and more legendary Vin Diesel dialog.
Aperture approved! Check out this amazing fan-made Portal gun
Flickr user emilyskeith has uploaded a set of images that show off an amazing fan-made Portal Gun (or Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device) that her boyfriend made to go along with an Aperture Science test subject cosplay outfit she is developing. Featuring blue and orange LEDs, the classic three prong design and even a splash of blood to showoff a nasty turret bullet graze, this is one of the coolest things we've ever seen. And now we feel like playing Portal again! Thanks, Emily ... we're trying to work here!
Get'em boy! 'The Maw' dragged to the XBLA
Update: According to Major Nelson, FunTown Mahjong is actually supposed to release next week. Yay?This week, the Xbox Live Arcade is featuring the award-winning independent 3D platformer, The Maw. Developed by Twisted Pixel Games, The Maw features an adorable alien named Frank who is trying to find his way home after a failed kidnapping attempt finds him crash landed on a strange planet. As Frank, players will team up with a hungry purple creature named Maw who can be led around the world on an electronic leash and sent to devour everything in your path. Twisted Pixel promises a "lengthy" single-player campaign, "intense cutscenes" (Read: one of the first is a spoof on Kill Bill) and "cutting edge graphics." The Maw clocks in at nearly 150MB and will run gamers 800 for the full version.Also, Major Nelson notes that another XBLA release should be on the service today. According to the Major, FunTown Mahjong is supposed to be available now, in all regions except Korea, for 800 but as of this story going live we have yet to see it online. Download a trial version of The Maw now. Gallery: The Maw (XBLA)
Gears of War 2 patched: Glitches fixed, achievements added
After weeks of waiting, and having all of its faults pointed out to us, Gears of War 2 has received a second title update which hopes to correct many of the glitches in the game. According to release notes the title update (aka patch) that went live this morning includes fixes for everything from Crabwalking (firing, while roadie running), unlimited Lancer ammo, grenade tagging through walls, using two-handed weapons with a shield, picking up weapons while sliding into cover and much more.The update also activates brand new achievements worth 175 GS points, which were discovered earlier this week. Each of the new achievements are DLC-based. In order to unlock all seven new achievements, players will need to get their hands on the Flashback Map Pack, free for gamers who purchased the game new but also available on the Marketplace for 400 and the Combustible Map Pack, available for 800.Complete patch notes and achievement listing after the jump.
Xbox 360 Fancast 100 -- Extravabration! [Update 3]
Update the final: All versions of the Fancast are now working properly. This is it, folks! The 100th episode of the Xbox 360 Fancast. This bad boy clocks in at just over two hours and it's positively crammed with goodness. We reminisce about the good times, Xav chews out an Alexander hater, we talk to Major Nelson and we eat Marmite. That's right, and we've got pictures to prove it. You can see them in the gallery below, but you might want to wait until after the show to check 'em out if you don't want any spoilers. The show is also filled with congratulatory sound clips sent in by you, something for which we are extremely grateful.In fact, now is probably as good a time as any to send out a big Thank You to all of our listeners. Without you, there would be no Fancast. So, thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy episode 100.%Gallery-42672%[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in Zune Marketplace (MP3).[RSS MP3] Add the Xbox 360 Fanboy Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[AAC] Download the enhanced AAC directly.[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.Hosts: Richard Mitchell (SenseiRAM), Dustin Burg (SuperDunners), Alexander Sliwinski (Sli Xander), Xav de Matos (Snypz)Guest: Larry Hryb (Major Nelson)Thanks to Richard Elliot for the image and Gloqwi for the episode title.Produced by Richard MitchellMusic: Intro/Outro: "Electromooq" by Uma Floresta.For fans: Xbox 360 Fancast Facebook group
New Gears 2 achievements appear on Xbox.com
Probably in preparation for the soon to be released Gears of War 2 title update, Xbox.com has posted an additional seven Gears 2 achievements. The new achievements - which aren't unlockable until the patch releases - add an extra 175 Gamerscore to Gears 2's total and all are targeted toward achievements made in multiplayer on the Flashback and Combustible DLC. Thanks for the achievements Epic, but would it be too much to ask to drop Seriously 2.0's killing requirements to, say ... 10,000? Please? Skeletons in your Closet (20G) - Complete waves 1 through 10 on all Flashback Map Pack maps in Horde (any difficulty) More Mystery, Less History (15G) - Win a multiplayer match on each of the 5 Flashback Map Pack maps (any mode except Wingman) Bound by a Shared Past (15G) - Win a Wingman match on each of the 5 Flashback Map Pack maps Trial by, and on, Fire (20G) - Survive first 10 Horde waves on Combustible Map Pack maps as a team The Roof! The Roof! The Roof... (15G) - Win a multiplayer match on each of the 3 Combustible Map Pack maps (any mode except Wingman) Forged in the Fire (15G) - Win a Wingman match on each of the 3 Combustible Map Pack maps Annex: Now With Execution Rules (75G) - Win an Annex match on each Flashback and Combustible Map Pack map (public matches only) [Thanks, surinder]
Halo 3: ODST soundtrack to debut at Video Games Live event
With a new Bungie developed game in the works comes the dynamic musical duo of O'Donnell & Salvatori. On January 24, Bungie will debut the soundtrack for Halo 3: ODST at a Video Games Live concert in Seattle. Special guests at the event will include the famed Halo team of scorer Marty O'Donnell and (the elusive) composer Michael Salvatori, among others. "I've always debuted my music with Video Games Live and it's an honor to be involved with such a highly successful production. It's a fantastic show and a great and unique way to connect our music with an audience," O'Donnell said of the popular Video Games Live show. Video game music fans in the Washington area can purchase tickets for this Saturday's show from Ticketmaster.
