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Previous News Articles
Tuesday March 18, 2003 World Series Baseball 2K3 ships Sega of America officially announced today the release of World Series Baseball 2K3 for the PlayStation 2. This is WSB's first appearance on the PlayStation 2 platform. "The World Series Baseball 2K franchise has set many standards in the industry for realism, innovation and quality of gameplay," said Greg Thomas, president of Visual Concepts Entertainment, a SEGA development studio. "We're excited to bring this franchise to the PlayStation 2 and introduce World Series Baseball 2K3 to an expanded, multi-platform audience for the first time." With this years' edition, Sega has added a variety of gameplay enhancements, including home run robbing jumps at the wall, dramatic running grabs in the outfield, user-controlled leadoffs and power swings, silky smooth double play and relay animations, offline throws, and a behind-the-pitcher cam that brings an exciting new perspective to the game thanks to the ESPN telecast-style presentation. World Series Baseball 2K3 also offers the deepest Franchise Mode in any baseball game to date. Users will be able to assemble a full coaching staff by selecting from a pool of managers, batting and pitching coaches, Minor League directors and scouts. World Series Baseball 2K3 is rated "E" for everyone and it has an MSRP of $49.95. -Matt C. Clock Tower 3 now available Capcom announced today that its other survival horror game, Clock Tower 3, is now available for the PlayStation 2. Clock Tower 3 features a storyline written by Flagship, the people behind the critically acclaimed Resident Evil series. "Clock Tower 3 is packed with more than its fair share of intense fear and suspense," said Todd Thorson, director of marketing, Capcom Entertainment. "The heroine possesses secret powers to destroy evil in an intense story which unfolds as the player progresses deeper and deeper into the game. The engaging story will certainly draw gamers in while the intense gameplay will keep players on the edge of their seat." -Matt C. The King of Route 66 rolls out to stores Sega of America announced that 'The King of Route 66' has been released exclusively for the PlayStation 2 today. Route 66 is the follow-up to Sega's other trucking game, 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker. The King of Route 66 will allow gamers to encounter more than 40 characters and customize their big rigs with more than 70 upgradeable parts ranging from mufflers to mudflaps. Along the way, you'll need to win the hearts of 8 attractive women before driving on to the next state. "The King of Route 66 is about one thing - driving really big trucks, really fast. Well, that and impressing the ladies," said Mike Fischer, vice president of marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "A pure adrenaline rush of arcade action, America's Heartland may never recover from The King of Route 66." -Matt C. Naughty Dog announces 'Jak II' We've known for a while that Naughty Dog was working on a sequel to Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, but Sony Computer Entertainment America made it official today. Dubbed Jak II, the anticipated sequel to the first Jak and Daxter game promises to be even better than Ratchet and Clank (a title that used Jak 1's game engine), which received surprisingly great reviews from many publications. "We are ecstatic to continue the engaging and compelling saga of Jak and Daxter this fall," said Jason Rubin, co-founder, Naughty Dog Inc. "Jak II will push the PlayStation 2 to new levels, adding visual impact and detail to both the environments and the characters. With the addition of multiple weapons that can be employed at any time, and numerous power-ups available to the player in every game location, Jak II provides far more freedom and immersion than gamers have experienced before." "Jak II will deliver a whole new cinematic gaming experience to players," adds Andy Gavin, co-founder of Naughty Dog, Inc. "Intriguing adventures, perilous exploration, shocking discoveries and over one hour of gorgeous cinematic animations, help drive the story along through twists and turns until the final climax." We'll have screenshots and more info on Jak II soon before its release in Fall 2003. -Matt C. Ubi Soft picks up Ape Escape 2 In a surprising announcement, Ubi Soft revealed today that it has acquired the North American publishing rights to Ape Escape 2. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, Ape Escape 2 was released in Japan last summer but Sony Computer Entertainment America decided not to bring it to US shores. "We are very excited to sign this publishing agreement with Ubi Soft to bring one of our exciting game titles, Ape Escape 2, to our North American fans," said Tomikazu Kirita, Senior Vice President, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. Ape Escape is due out Summer 2003. -Matt C. Thursday March 13, 2003 Even more artists join Amplitude roster Sony Computer Entertainment America announced today that five additional artists have joined the Amplitude music roster. BT (Kimosabe), Game Boyz (Push), P!nk (Respect), The X-ecutioners (King of Rock remix), and Slipknot (I Am Hated) will contribute songs to the game. "The addition of P!nk, BT, Manchild, Slipknot, and Run DMC's classic hit 'King of Rock,' performed by The X-ecutioners rounds out our Amplitude music roster and offers music enthusiasts everywhere some great foot-stomping, heart-pumping tracks," said Ami Blaire, director of product marketing, SCEA. "By having custom remixes such as the King of Rock, we hope to attract new rap and rock fans, as well as establish Amplitude as a unique alternative to radio for an enhanced gaming and music experience." Other bands expected to appear in Amplitude include blink 182, Papa Roach, Weezer, Garbage, P.O.D., Quarashi, and more. Amplitude will be available March 24, 2003. -Matt C. Final Fantasy X-2 sweeps Japan In a not so surprising outcome, Japanese gamers embraced Final Fantasy X-2 with open arms yesterday as the game went on sale in that region. Crowds of eager people gathered around game shops very early in the morning to ensure that they would go home with a copy of the game. Square President Wada Youichi, Enix President Keiji Honda, and J-pop star Kumi Koda (who sings the theme song) even made an appearance at a store in Tokyo. All in all, Square shipped 1.8 million units of FFX-2 on the release date in Japan. Assuming that no delays occur, Final Fantasy X-2 will be out in North America late 2003. -Matt C. SCEA finally boosts Network Adaptor production Sony Computer Entertainment America announced yesterday that Network Adaptor sales have exceeded the company's original expectations with more than 500,000 units sold through to consumers since late August 2002. According to the company, an average of 2,500 new members join the PS2 online community per day. NPD FunWorld, an independent research group, could even confirm that the Network Adaptor outsold the Xbox Live Starter Kit by more than 63 percent during the month of January. As a result, SCEA confirmed that it plans to double its projected Network Adaptor shipments to a cumulative one million units by the end of its fiscal year, March 31, 2003. Of all the people who play the PS2 online, 42 percent of them play via dial-up and 58 percent via broadband. "To say that we are encouraged by the massive consumer online uptake in such a short period of time is an understatement," said Andrew House, executive vice president, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Consumer choice is central to our platform strategy and to our approach to online gaming. We're delighted that we're leading in this space with unique content and an open approach to content providers." -Matt C. Tuesday March 11, 2003 Zone of the Enders 2 now available Konami of America announced today that Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner (ZOE2) for the PlayStation 2 has shipped to stores nationwide. ZOE2 is the sequel to the 2001 hit Zone of the Enders. "ZOE2 sets a new standard for graphics and gameplay within the action genre," says Wilson Cheng, Product Manager at Konami of America, Inc. "This game is everything that we had hoped it would be and more." Developed by Hideo Kojima (the creator of the Metal Gear Solid series) and his award-winning design team, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner offers improved visuals, new moves, hundreds of on-screen enemies, new weapons, and a better variety of different environments. Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner is rated "M" for Mature and is available at an MSRP of $49.99. -Matt C. World Soccer Winning Eleven 6 International finally makes US debut Konami of America announced today that it has shipped World Soccer Winning Eleven 6 International (WE6) to retail outlets nationwide. Winning Eleven 6 International has sold over 2.4 million units in Japan and Europe since its debut in April 2002. This marks the first time that WE6, known as Pro Evolution Soccer in Europe, has ever been released in North America. "We are thrilled to bring World Soccer Winning Eleven 6 International to North America," said Rob Goff, Product Manager at Konami of America, Inc. "Soccer gamers here have been asking for this title for years and now they'll have a chance to enjoy the thrill and excitement of the world's best soccer game." Winning Eleven 6 International features 14 playable stadiums and just under 100 national and club teams, including thousands of players. According to Konami, WE6 also delivers hundreds of smooth animations and amazing player A.I. WE6 is rated "E" for Everyone and is available at an MSRP of only $39.99. Expect a review very soon. Related Links: PS Pro 2 Winning Eleven 6 game giveaway. -Matt C. Aero Elite: Combat Academy ships to stores Sega of America today announced the release of Aero Elite: Combat Academy exclusively for the PlayStation 2. Combat Academy includes 60 of the world's most powerful aircraft, realistic in-game physics, and real-world weaponry for each plane or helicopter. "Aero Elite: Combat Academy provides more stomach-turning, real-world aerial action than any flight-simulation ever released on a console," said Mike Fischer, vice president of marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Whether your flying sorties halfway around the world, or going head-to-head with a friend in a helicopter battle, Aero Elite: Combat Academy will not disappoint flight fans." Aero Elite: Combat Academy is rated "T" for Teen and is available for an MSRP of $49.95. -Matt C. Monday March 10, 2003 Capcom announces Onimusha Buraiden Capcom has announced a promising looking fighting game based on the popular Onimusha series. The game is called Onimusha Buraiden, and it features many of the main characters from Onimusha 1 and 2. Onimusha Buraiden is expected to hit the US in late 2003. If you would like to view screenshots, please visit Capcom's site below. -Matt C. Logitech debuts new USB keyboard and optical mouse designed for PlayStation 2 Logitech announced last week that its USB Keyboard and Optical Mouse designed for the PlayStation 2 are scheduled to arrive on retail shelves nationwide later this month. The suggested retail price for the keyboard and mouse will be $29.95 and $19.95, respectively. "We've taken our experience and leadership in keyboards and mice and used them to deliver two quality products that offer new control options to PlayStation 2 fans," said Fred Swan, Director of Marketing for Logitech's Audio and Interactive Entertainment Business Unit. "As more and more titles provide the option of using something other than a gamepad as a controller, gamers are looking for reliable, high performance devices. We're meeting this need with products designed for them." The USB Keyboard has a compact design and quiet keys. The Optical Mouse features a scroll-wheel and optical tracking technology to provide exceptional precision and speed on almost any surface. The mouse is also designed for both left and right hand users. Both devices have an 8-foot cord to ensure comfortable use at even long distances. In related news, the Logitech NetPlay controller for PS2 is also expected to make its way into retailers later this month. The NetPlay controller (which has an MSRP of $69.95) is a unique peripheral that incorporates a keyboard and game controller all in one. You may view the image of each peripheral below. USB Mouse | USB Keyboard | NetPlay Controller -Matt C. Capcom reveals Onimusha 3 Capcom has officially announced Onimusha 3, which is the third installment in the Onimusha series. Onimusha 3 will take place in 1582 Japan and 2004 Paris. Players will take control of Akechi Samanosuke, the samurai from the first game, while in Japan. Jacque Blan, a military soldier who prefers to use a gun rather than a sword, will be playable in Paris stages -- although Capcom says that the two men will eventually meet each other. The previous games in the series had pre-rendered backgrounds, but with Onimusha 3, Capcom is taking a full 3D approach. Hong Kong action star and director, Donnie Yen, will be the action director for the opening movie. Onimusha 3 should be released in Japan March 2004. The US version should also be completed in 2004. -Matt C. Square kicks off Final Fantasy Origins Sweepstakes Squaresoft is kicking off a Final Fantasy Origins Sweepstakes where you can win a copy of the game, along with the official strategy guide. Other prizes are available. To enter, visit the web page below. -Matt C. EB and Gamestop offer playable Splinter Cell demo If you plan on pre-ordering Splinter Cell for the PS2, make sure you do it at Electronics Boutique or at Gamestop. Both stores are offering free playable demos of Splinter Cell for people who reserve the game in advance. Offer not available online. -Matt C. Friday March 7, 2003 SOCOM reaches 1 million Sony Computer Entertainment America announced today that it has sold more than one million units of SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs nationwide since its release on August 27, 2002 in conjunction with the Network Adaptor. According to Sony, more than 30 percent of all users are active online, racking up around 8.5 million player hours since the beginning of the year alone. Everyday, between 50,000 and 60,000 people host online sessions, with up to 13,000 users playing simultaneously for three hours on average. "With the USB headset bundled in with SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs, PlayStation 2 consumers are provided with a unique tool to begin their online experience for SOCOM and many more online titles to come," said Jack Tretton, executive vice president, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "This strong demand demonstrates the popularity and mass appeal of SOCOM while reinforcing the fact that millions of consumers are making PlayStation 2 their first choice in online gaming. Due to the engaging multi-player gaming experience found in SOCOM, we expect demand to remain high and continue to be a driving force for sales of the Network Adaptor for PlayStation 2." -Matt C. Kingdom Hearts earns award from game developers Square Electronic Arts and Disney Interactive announced today that Kingdom Hearts was honored by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) in the category of Excellence in Visual Arts. The award winners were announced last night at the Third Annual Game Developers Choice Awards ceremony during the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Jose, Calif. "On behalf of the Square, Disney Interactive and our development team, I would like to thank IGDA for this incredible award," said Tetsuya Nomura, director and character designer for Kingdom Hearts. "To be honored with this award makes us realize that not only do our fans appreciate our work, but our peers as well. I couldn't be happier with the success of Kingdom Hearts and would like to continue to create games that offer a unique and exciting visual experience for the gamers." Kingdom Hearts debuted in September 2002 for the PlayStation 2 and has sold one million units in North America in the first three months of its release. -Matt C. PlayStation 2 network gaming trials starting soon in UK European gamers are finally one step closer to taking their PS2 console online because Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced today that it will soon be accepting gamers to help test its online network on March 31, 2003. People who are selected to participate will have the opportunity to purchase a Network Adaptor, online-only version of SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals, and a SOCOM headset for £39.99 ($64). Once testing is complete, gamers who participated will receive a copy of the full version of SOCOM. "This trial will enable PlayStation 2 owners with broadband connection to purchase a Network Adaptor and immediately start enjoying multiplayer network gaming with the market leading PlayStation 2," said Ray Maguire, managing director of SCE UK. "Starting with the groundbreaking experience of 16-player SOCOM with voice communication, PlayStation network gaming will be exciting to play and affordable. The consumer trials will help determine the shape and nature of the commercial offering of this service. But rest assured, our ethos remains one of having a very diverse and inclusive platform that will enable content companies, games publishers, and ISPs to provide consumers with the broadest selection of new network experiences and entertainment from a variety of sources." An official European Network Adaptor release date is not yet available. Look out for the sign up form here. -Matt C. Thursday March 6, 2003 Eidos announces new PS2 games in development Eidos Interactive issued its financial report today and in the report, the company confirmed a couple new PlayStation 2 games currently in development. Some of the new games include Soul Reaver 3, Spanx, and a PS2 game based on the movie, The Italian Job. We'll have more info on these upcoming titles at a later date. -Matt C. Activision wants gamers to vote for best 'Reel Ninja Film' For those of you who didn't know, Activision kicked off a "Reel Ninja Film Contest" on Feb. 3 (to help promote Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven) where film students were given the opportunity to create their very own 2-minute Ninja movie. Legendary filmmakers John Woo and Terence Chang of Lion Rock Productions voted for their favorite student ninja film -- and now Activision wants you guys to participate. Simply click the link below to view the nominated ninja movies and vote for your favorite one. The film that earns the most votes will win a First Prize of $5,000. Voting ends March 14, 2003. -Matt C. Wednesday March 5, 2003 New artists join Amplitude roster Sony Computer Entertainment of America announced that it has signed several new artists that will contribute songs to the upcoming music game, Amplitude. The new artists are Herbie Hancock (Rockit remix), Papa Roach (TBA), Baldwin Brothers (Urban Tumbleweed), Production Club (Rockstar), and Manchild (Nitrogen Narcosis). "We are thrilled to offer a deeper and wider selection of artists to the Amplitude music roster," said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "With additional tracks from Papa Roach, Baldwin Brothers, Production Club, Manchild, as well as Herbie Hancock, we've provided a unique forum for all of our PlayStation 2 fans, young and old, to enjoy music not just from their stereo but game console." Amplitude is set to ship on March 24, 2003. If you are interested in learning more about Amplitude, please visit our previews section. -Matt C. 'New' Dragon Ball Z game on the way Infogrames announced today that it will be releasing Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22 on March 25, 2003. Ultimate Battle 22 was originally released in 1995 in Japan on the PlayStation and this will be the first time the game has officially reached U.S. shores. "Ultimate Battle 22 is the perfect entry point for fans wanting to immerse themselves in the fighting action of the Dragon Ball Z universe," said Paul Rinde, Senior Vice President of Infogrames' Minneapolis studio. "Already a hit around the world, Ultimate Battle 22 will become a classic DBZ game for serious American fans of the show as well." Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22 will ship with a MSRP of only $19.95. -Matt C. Sega airs VF: Evolution commercial in Japan Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution will be hitting Japan in a couple days, so Sega of Japan has posted some nice commercials featuring the game. You can download them here:
Commercial - Narrowband - 750 Kb -Matt C. Tuesday March 4, 2003 MGS2: Substance ships Konami of America, Inc. announced today that Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance for the PlayStation 2 has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. MGS2: Substance features the original Sons of Liberty game, as well as 500+ new missions, hidden playable characters, unique skateboarding levels, new musical scores, new dogtags, and five all-new chapters called "Snake Tales". To date, the original Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty has sold over 2 million units in the United States and 5 million units worldwide. Substance is rated 'M' for Mature and is available at an MSRP of $39.99. -Matt C. Monday March 3, 2003 Def Jam: Vendetta delayed Electronic Arts announced today it has delayed Def Jam: Vendetta by a couple weeks. The new shipping date is April 1, 2003. According to EA, the reason for the delay is to allow the PS2 and Gamecube versions to hit store shelves on the same day. -Matt C. Freaky Flyers coming in July Today, Midway announced that it still plans on releasing Freaky Flyers for the PlayStation 2. The game has seen numerous delays, but Midway stated that the game will ship July 2003. Look forward to a preview soon. -Matt C. Saturday March 1, 2003 EA reveals new Medal of Honor title Yesterday, Electronic Arts confirmed that it is currently hard at work on two new Medal of Honor games due out on all the major consoles. Both games will have storylines that are tied together. The first chapter, Medal of Honor Rising Sun, follows two brothers named Donny and Joe Griffin during the Pacific Theater of Operations. As Joe, you'll fight alongside your brother, but as the battle heats up, you become separated with Donny. The first chapter of Rising Sun will be released fall 2003. In the next chapter, due out fall 2004, you will play as Donny. Donny has different missions but you will visit some of the same places that Joe did. More info later. -Matt C. Castlevania will debut on PS2 this Fall I am really late with this one due to troubles with my PC, but if you haven't heard yet, Konami of America announced on February 24 that Castlevania will debut on the PlayStation 2 in fall 2003. The same team behind the critically acclaimed Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Castlevania on the PS One will handle the new Castlevania game. Konami stated it will officially unveil the game at E3 2003. -Matt C. Friday February 21, 2003 European gamers to get Silent Hill 3 first We don't normally cover gaming news outside the U.S. but this story is quite surprising. Konami of Europe announced today that it will ship Silent Hill 3 in Europe on May 23, 2003, which is even earlier than the Japanese release date. Konami of America won't make the game available in North America until early August 2003. No specific reason was given for releasing the game in Europe first. -Matt C. Thursday February 20, 2003 Splinter Cell gets official date Ubi Soft has announced today that Splinter Cell for the PlayStation 2 will ship to stores April 8, 2003. The PS2 version of the game will have all new features not found in the Xbox version, including new levels. For more information on Splinter Cell for PS2, please head on down to the previews section. -Matt C. Wednesday February 19, 2003 Square and EA partnership ends Earlier today, Squaresoft and Square Electronic Arts announced some major changes in its North American operations. Square will merge with Tokyo-based video game publisher Enix Corporation on April 1, 2003. The new company, headquartered in Tokyo, will be named Square Enix and the current Square president, Yoichi Wada, will led the company. At the same time, the joint venture between Square and Electronic Arts will come to an end as planned on March 31, 2003. As a result, Square Enix U.S.A. will be established to handle North American operations by localizing, marketing and publishing Square Enix products in North America. The partnership between Square and Electronic Arts has lasted five years and it is considered a success by both companies. "As Square and Enix begin the worldwide implementation of the merger, our goals for the North American market will shift to include not only increasing our market share for our franchises, but also expanding the role-playing game market in North America," said Yoichi Wada. "We are currently evaluating the best strategy to accomplish these goals and look forward to growing our business as a new company. We have enjoyed a very successful partnership with Electronic Arts over the past five years and we are currently exploring opportunities for a new relationship." "We are looking forward to this new structure in North America," said current Enix president, Keiji Honda. "Together, Square and Enix will deliver a gaming experience that everyone will enjoy. We are committed to developing and marketing innovative, creative and original titles. We hope to accomplish our goals by providing quality role-playing games to gamers in North America." -Matt C. Tuesday February 18, 2003 Konami ships Yu-Gi-Oh! for PS2 Yu-Gi-Oh fans rejoice! Konami of America, Inc. announced today that Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Duelists of the Roses for Sony PlayStation 2 has shipped to retail stores nationwide. This is the first Yu-Gi-Oh! title to appear on a next-generation videogame system and to celebrate the release of the game, Konami is shipping the game with three limited edition Yu-Gi-Oh! trading game cards. Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Duelists of the Roses is rated 'E' for Everyone and is available at an MSRP of $49.99. -Matt C. Friday February 14, 2003 Activision Launches Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven web site Activision, Inc. announced today that it has launched the official Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven web site. The site will be updated weekly and will roll out a host of downloads and information including custom wallpaper, character and weapon features, links to the online Ninja community and news updates. BTW, there is an easter egg on the Weapons page. Simply click on the little mouse that travels along the floor to see a special video! Tenchu will be out March 5, 2003. To read our coverage of the game, head on down to the 'previews' section. Official Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven web site -Matt C. Wednesday February 12, 2003 New artists join Amplitude song roster Sony Computer Entertainment America announced today several new artists that will be joining the song list in Amplitude -- including P.O.D, blink-182, Freezepop, Dieselboy, and Mekon. P.O.D will contribute its song "Boom" (remixed by The Crystal Method), blink 182 will contribute "The Rock Show", Mekon will provide "What's Going on?", Dieselboy with a remix of Styles Of Beyond's "Subculture, and Freezepop with "Supersprode". "With the combination of hip-hop, rock, electronica, and rap, these newly signed acts broaden the music roster for Amplitude while reaching out to new and existing fans of both the PlayStation 2 and the particular music act," said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Amplitude offers a unique platform for both the band and us to present music in such a unique manner that players will feel one step closer to the artist as they create and remix music from their PlayStation 2 controller." Amplitude is still due out in late March. -Matt C. Tomb Raider web site has been updated Eidos Interactive informed us today that a few changes have been made to the official Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness:
- New Homepage imagery -Matt C. Tuesday February 11, 2003 Pre-order Tomb Raider and receive bonus goodies
-Matt C. IndyCar Series to feature Penske Racing Team Codemasters today announced that its upcoming title, IndyCar Series, will feature Penske Racing, the most successful Indy car racing team in history. "With the inclusion of Penske, one of the greatest racing teams, IndyCar Series will be the most authentic and complete game in its class," said Sebastien Soulier, President of Codemasters USA. "Penske Racing, coupled with the other official Indy Racing League teams, enhances the depth of the tension-packed game and adds to the realism." IndyCar Series will be out this spring. -Matt C. Monday February 10, 2003 Final Fantasy Origins gets official release date Square Electronic Arts announced today that Final Fantasy Origins for the PlayStation will be shipping to stores all across North America on April 8, 2003. Final Fantasy Origins will contain Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II on one disc for a MSRP of only $29.99. "Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II established Square as a pioneering force in the role-playing game genre," said Jun Iwasaki, president of Square Electronic Arts. "We are pleased to bring gamers an exciting update of these landmark titles in Final Fantasy Origins. We believe this anthology will bring back great memories for fans of the original titles as well as appeal to today’s fans. This package which contains two titles in one disc will also be priced at $30 — players will not want to miss out on this great value." Read our preview of the game in the 'Previews' section. Final Fantasy Origins Official Web Site -Matt C. Friday February 7, 2003 Gallop Racer 2003 coming soon Tecmo announced today that the next title in its popular horse racing series, Gallop Racer 2003: A New Breed, will ship to stores all across North America this March. Some of the new features in the game include six new jockeys, 3000 unlockable horses, ability to purchase new training facilities, and 32 different track environments. "Fans of the unique title have been anticipating a new release since rumors started last year that a new version of the game would be released in the US," said Tony Tarpey, Marketing Manager for Tecmo. "We wanted to give the fans what they have been waiting for! A new and improved Gallop Racer that takes what made the series good and makes it better!" -Matt C. Enter the Matrix web site launches I know I am a bit late with this one due to my recent illness, but Infogrames announced that it has launched the official Enter the Matrix web site. On the site, you'll find gallerys of screenshots, gameplay information, and more. The Enter the Matrix video game is due out May 15, 2003. -Matt C. Guilty Gear X2 and Galerians: ASH now available Sammy Studios announced a couple days ago that it has shipped Guilty Gear X2 and Galerians: ASH to stores nationwide. Both games will have an MSRP of only $39.99. "We're pleased to bring two exceptional games, both sequels to anime-inspired franchises with a strong following, to PS2 players," said John Rowe, president of Sammy Studios. "We're also happy to be able to let gamers, many of whom have been waiting for the US release of these games, bring these titles home at a very competitive price" -Matt C. Friday January 31, 2003 RTX Red Rock web site launches LucasArts announced today that it has launched the official RTX Red Rock web site. The site offers screenshots, movies, and more. RTX Red Rock is scheduled to ship March 25, 2003. -Matt C. Guilty Gear X2 and Galerians: ASH site launches Sammy Studios today announced the launch of web sites for Guilty Gear X2 and Galerians: ASH. The sites provide a great selection of screens and movies that display the rich, anime-inspired graphics and outstanding play found in these games, along with useful information like game features, back stories, character bios and links to previews and reviews. You can find the links for each site below. -Matt C. Indy Racing League gets name change Codemasters confirmed today that its US racing game previously known as Indy Racing League will be published under the sport's new name "IndyCar Series". The revised title reflects the announcement by the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body for the sport, that the championship will be known as the IndyCar Series. IndyCar Series is expected to ship for the PS2 this spring. -Matt C. Wednesday January 29, 2003 New PS2 colors available If you have not heard yet, Sony Computer Entertainment America has finally brought over those ultra-cool, Limited Edition colored PlayStation 2 consoles to North America. The available colors are Astral Blue, Light Yellow, Snow White, Super Red, and Metallic Silver. The price for each console is $314.99, plus shipping. As mentioned before, these products are a limited edition, so purchase them while they are still in stock. PlayStation 2 Limited Edition Consoles -Matt C. Tuesday January 28, 2003 Devil May Cry 2 ships to stores Its time to make the Devil cry yet again because Capcom announced today that it has shipped Devil May Cry 2 to stores nationwide. Devil May Cry 2 will feature improved graphics, new moves, larger levels, more weapons, a new playable character named Lucia and more. "Devil May Cry 2 offers renewed character design and two playable characters," said Todd Thorson, director of marketing, Capcom Entertainment "This sequel will certainly live up to the anticipation that our fans demand." Devil May Cry 2 is rated "M" for Mature. For more info on the game, please visit the previews section. -Matt C. Capcom releases new RE: Online movie Capcom has posted some new Resident Evil: Online movies from its U.S. press event that was held a couple weeks ago. The site is in Japanese but finding the links should not be a problem. For more info on Resident Evil: Online, please read our preview of the game. -Matt C. Monday January 27, 2003 NBA Jam 2004 on the way After what seems like an eternity, Acclaim Entertainment announced a couple days ago that it is currently hard at work on a NBA Jam game for all of the next-generation systems -- including the PlayStation 2. NBA Jam 2004 will feature all 29 of the current NBA teams, equaling more than 300 players total. There will also be 60 legendary NBA players present in the game. Of course, all current and former NBA all-stars will have their signature moves in Jam 2004. Some of the game modes that will be available are Exhibition, Jam, Legends Tournament, Create-a-Player and a Mini-Game mode. NBA Jam 2004 won't be out until October 2003, so we will definitely have more information before that time. Look forward to screenshots soon. -Matt C. Friday January 24, 2003 EverQuest Online Adventures has gone gold Sony Online Entertainment announced today that it has completed work on EverQuest Online Adventures for the PS2 and that the game has gone gold. Online Adventures will ship to stores on February 11, 2003 and it will be compatible with broadband and dial-up users. "In just a few short weeks, PlayStation 2 owners will get to experience the magical world of EverQuest, which is one of the most amazing fantasy universes ever created," said John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment. "With nearly endless replayability in a living, changing gameworld, the likes of which have never been seen before on a console, people from all across North America will find the adventure and community they seek in EverQuest Online Adventures." Expect to pay about $10 each month to play EverQuest Online Adventures. -Matt C. Thursday January 23, 2003 Mad Catz acquires Gameshark Back in early December, we reported that Datel Electronic's had ended its distribution agreement with Interact Accessories. It appeared that the GameShark was no more. Today, Mad Catz Interactive announced that, effective immediately, it has acquired the rights to the GameShark brand and the www.gameshark.com web site URL from InterAct for $5 million. GameShark, the world's most popular cheat device, has generated revenues in excess of $30 million in the twelve month period ended December 31, 2002. "The GameShark acquisition is attractive and significant to Mad Catz for several reasons," said Morris Perlis, Mad Catz Interactive President and CEO. "First, it enables us to increase the breadth of high-quality offerings available to leading retailers and the gaming community. Second, it further strengthens our position as the leading third party accessories provider in the world, as GameShark is one of the most popular interactive entertainment accessories among consumers. Finally, we believe the acquisition supports our goals for margin enhancement and financial growth. We are delighted to welcome GameShark to the Mad Catz family of products." Mad Catz plans to ship Gameshark products this March with software cheats to continue supply at retail locations. Source: Mad Catz -Matt C. Activision starts 'reel ninja film contest' Calling all amateur filmmakers! Are you looking to show off your talent as a potential Hollywood movie director? If so, Activision is looking for beginning filmmakers to submit his or her best ninja film between February 3 through February 17, 2003. The catch? The film can only be about 2-3 minutes long. Director John Woo and producer Terence Chang will be judging the best entries. Grand prize winners will receive $15,000. The five runner-up films will be posted on the contest web site and users will be able to vote for their personal favorite. The movie with the most votes by the web site visitors will earn $5,000. In order to enter, you must be college student 18 years or older and a legal U.S. resident. For more details, please visit the web site below. -Matt C. Tuesday January 21, 2003 Eidos reports release schedule update We've known for quite a while that Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness for the PS2 had been delayed even further into 2003, but Eidos Interactive made it official today. According to the company, Lara's latest quest has indeed been pushed back into spring 2003. The game was originally intended to ship in February after it was pushed back from its initial fall 2002 release date. "Whilst the release of Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness has been delayed, we believe that the game will benefit substantially from the marketing of the new Lara Croft movie, Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, scheduled to be released this summer," said Eidos CEO, Mike McGarvey. In related news, Eidos also announced that Hitman 2 and TimeSplitters 2 have reached combined sales of 2.9 million units to date. Not bad. -Matt C. Game sales up 7 percent in December According to Reuters, U.S. video game sales were up 7 percent in December than in the previous year. Analysts said total game software sales for 2002 rose 21 percent over 2001, while total retail sales for the industry, including hardware and software, rose 10 percent. However, some analysts claimed that they had expected growth of as much as 25 percent. Among the companies that did well in December were Electronic Arts and THQ. Those game developers saw increases of 18 and 25 percent, respectively. Source: Reuters -Matt C. Black and Bruised has gone gold Majesco announced today that its boxing game, Black and Bruised, has gone gold and that it will ship January 28, 2003. "The developer of Black & Bruised, Digital Fiction, has done a superb job of blending humor and back story, with solid mechanics and cel-shaded graphics, to produce a unique product that is certain to captivate players," said Ken Gold, Vice President of Marketing for Majesco. "Our comprehensive marketing campaign utilizes a wide array of marketing vehicles, each designed to heighten consumer awareness and build excitement for Black & Bruised." -Matt C. Friday January 17, 2003 The Sims now available on PS2 Electronic Arts announced today that it has shipped The Sims for the PlayStation 2. The Sims for PS2 offers a 2-player mode, improved graphics, and exclusive objects not found in the PC version. "Bringing the #1 selling PC game of all time, The Sims, to the #1 console, gives players a whole new Sims experience," said Sinjin Bain, COO of EA's Maxis studio and Executive Producer of the game. "Console players and Sims fans alike are going to enjoy the redesigned controls for the PlayStation 2 and exciting new game play features." -Matt C. Peter Moore resigns from Sega Peter Moore had been Sega of America's President and chief operating officer for four years, but today, he has resigned for reasons that have not been disclosed. Tetsu Kayama, CEO of Sega Corporation, will take Moore's place, effective immediately. -Matt C. Thursday January 16, 2003 Konami announces Gradius V During Konami Gamer's Day in San Francisco, Konami of America, Inc. announced its 2003 game line-up. Among the titles announced was Gradius V for the PlayStation 2. Very little for revealed about the game, but we do know that it will feature a new control scheme and that it is currently due out this Fall. It is still early, so expect additional info at a later date. -Matt C. Konami confirms ZOE2 release date Konami of America, Inc. confirmed today that Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner will ship to stores March 11, 2003. Our release date calendar has stated the game's release date as March 11, 2003 for quite a while now, but we just wanted to inform you guys that is indeed accurate. "ZOE2 stands alone in the category of mech combat games. Its non-stop fighting action, unique anime style and deep gameplay ensure that the Zone of the Enders experience is more intense and more fun than any other," says Wilson Cheng, Product Manager at Konami of America, Inc. For more info on Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner, please read our preview. -Matt C. PlayStation 2 shipments reaches 50 million Sony Computer Entertainment announced today that worldwide shipments of the PlayStation 2 has surpassed 50 million units since its introduction in Japan back in March 2000. According to the company, 21.5 million units have been shipped to North America, 16 million all around Europe and 12.5 million in Japan. As for the competition, Nintendo has estimated that about 16 million Gamecubes will be sold by March 30, 2003. -Matt C. Silent Hill 3 soundtrack to ship with game Konami of America announced today that Silent Hill 3 will ship with a 70-minute music soundtrack bundled with the game. The soundtrack will feature all of the music found in the game and four exclusive vocal tracks. Silent Hill 3 is slated for a summer 2003 release date. -Matt C. Wednesday January 15, 2003 Die Hard: Vendetta announced for PS2 Bits Studios and NDA Productions have announced today that Die Hard: Vendetta is coming to the PlayStation 2 later this year. Die Hard: Vendetta is set several years after the events of the blockbuster film, Die Hard: With A Vengeance, and as John McClane, you must save your kidnapped daughter. The Gamecube version was released last year, but the PS2 version will have additional features not found on Nintendo's system. There will now be a multiplayer mode that allows two to four people join in on the action. Players will be able to incarnate up to 100 different characters, and play in 14 areas. Also, there are a number of different game modes like "King of the Hill", "Deathmatch" and several others will be available. In addition, new and limitedly available weapons from the single player game are added to the multiplayer mode, including Boxing Gloves, a Minigun and a Paintball gun. "At NDA, we are very proud of bringing this amazing PlayStation 2 game to market," says Dominique Cor, CEO, NDA Productions. "NDA Productions' ambition is to find the greatest development studios to create tomorrow's best sellers. Further, we ensure that we also pay attention to the players' feedback, and consequently the PS2 version will incorporate new features as the multiplayer option and other improvements in the game." As usual, we will have more information on the PS2 version of this FPS title when it becomes available. -Matt C. Edios updates Angel of Darkness web site Eidos Interactive made a major update to its official Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness web site today with an all new "Making of - Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness" documentary. The documentary movie is quite beefy at 20 MB (and in both Windows Media Player and QuickTime formats), but it features exclusive interviews with the development team and never-before-seen gameplay clips. Also included is a new Tomb Raider calendar and screensaver. To check out the goodies mentioned above, point your browser to this URL: Tomb Raider Home Page -Matt C. |
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Lara Croft will be making her debut on the PlayStation 2 in the next few months so when you pre-order Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness at GameStop you'll receive a Lara Croft bobble head figure. Even better, if you pre-order her latest adventure at Electronics Boutique, you'll receieve an in-depth look at Lara in a special DVD filled with cool stuff, including: