From the press release:

A galactic test pilot’s work is never done, and in Rare’s “Jetpac Refuelled” gamers have to fight off pesky aliens while trying to build rockets to take them to their next destination. “Jetpac Refuelled” will be available for download exclusively on Xbox Live® Arcade for Xbox 360™ beginning Wednesday 28th March at 09.00 GMT/10.00 CET.

Rare’s Jetpac Refuelled is a revamped and modernised version of the 1983 classic space blaster Jetpac. In Jetpac Refuelled players must clear a path through hordes of aliens to refuel their ship and amass a fortune over the course of 128 hi-definition levels, complete with achievements, leaderboards and simultaneous multiplayer action. Compared to the original Jetpac, which included 16 levels, Jetpac Refuelled provides players with everything they loved in the classic and much more.
“Jetpac Refuelled” can be played alone, or against another player on the same console or over Xbox Live.

Game Features

· Includes two versions of the game

o Retro – The classic 1980s version

o Refuelled – Rare’s 2007 remake of the classic Jetpac comes complete with entirely new hi-def graphics, menacing enemies, new smartbombs that produce an electromagnetic pulse, modernised weapon upgrades and updated gameplay for modern gamers

· Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

· Completely updated graphical look of the game gives Xbox Live Arcade gamers a truly hi-def and in-depth gaming experience

Where can I get it?

“Jetpac Refuelled” will be available worldwide for 400 Microsoft Points from Wednesday 28th March at 09.00 GMT/10.00 CET and is rated “E” for Everyone.

From the press release:

TOKYO (March 28, 2007) – SEGA® Corporation and Nintendo Co. Ltd. today made a historical announcement that two of the biggest icons in the entertainment industry, Mario™ and Sonic™, are joining forces to star in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. Developed for the Wii™ video game system and the Nintendo DS™ system, this momentous agreement marks the first time these two renowned stars have appeared together in a game.

Published by SEGA across Europe and North America, and published by Nintendo in the Japanese market, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games will be available for Christmas 2007 and is licensed through a worldwide partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), the exclusive interactive entertainment software licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, players will compete in events that take place in environments based on the official venues of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Using a supporting cast of characters from the amazing worlds of both Mario and Sonic, gamers will be able to compete as or against a range of lovable personalities including Mario, Sonic, Luigi™, Knuckles™, Yoshi®, Tails™ and more. Innovative usage of the Wii and DS control systems to maneuver a favourite character will allow players to race the likes of Mario and Sonic down the 100m track, engage in exhilarating rallies in table tennis and churn water in a swimming heat, all while competing for the much sought after gold medal.

“We are thrilled to partner with Nintendo and ISM on this groundbreaking title,” said Hisao Oguchi, President and Chief Operating Officer, SEGA Corporation. “For the first time, two of the world’s greatest games’ characters come together to compete in the world’s greatest sporting event and we couldn’t be more excited.”

“Mario and Sonic have been respectful rivals since the early days of video games,” says Shigeru Miyamoto, Senior Managing Director and General Manager, Entertainment Analysis and Development Division, Nintendo Co., Ltd.. “In fact, for a long time they have been discussing the possibility of one day competing against each other. Now that they have been given the perfect opportunity to meet at the Olympic Games, we may finally learn who is actually faster, Mario or Sonic?”

“The Olympic Games represent the true spirit of competition and passion,” said Raymond Goldsmith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ISM. “Bringing together intensely competitive and fun characters like Mario and Sonic in an Olympic setting helps showcase the sports of the Olympic Games in a new and compelling way for all generations.”

From the press release:

REDMOND, Wash., March 28: Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced the upcoming availability of Xbox 360TM Elite, a new model of the video game and entertainment system that will include a 120GB hard drive, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port, a high-definition cable, and a premium black finish for the console, wireless controller and Xbox LIVE® headset. Xbox 360 Elite has enough space for a library of Xbox LIVE Arcade games and thousands of songs, as well as downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The new 120GB hard drive also will be sold as a stand-alone accessory to give current Xbox 360 owners greater choice and flexibility in their games and entertainment experience. Additional Xbox 360 Elite accessories, such as the black Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit and the Xbox 360 rechargeable battery, will be available separately. The Xbox 360 Elite and its accessories are expected to begin arriving in U.S. stores on April 29.

“Today’s games and entertainment enthusiast has an insatiable appetite for digital high-definition content,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Xbox 360 Elite’s larger hard drive and premium accessories will allow our community to enjoy all that the next generation of entertainment has to offer.”

Distinguished by its black finish and signature metallic detailing, Xbox 360 Elite will have an estimated retail price(1) of $479.99 (U.S.) and will come packed with components and accessories for the ultimate high-definition entertainment experience:(2)

* Xbox 360 Elite console. The console is equipped with a premium black finish and three powerful core processors capable of producing the best in HD entertainment (up to 1080p), 16:9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti- aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound, HDMI output and DVD playback with upscaling capabilities right out of the box.
* Xbox 360 120GB hard drive. The 120GB detachable hard drive allows gamers to save their games and store television shows, movies, music, pictures, trailers, levels, demos and other content available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.(3) The hard drive is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $179.99 (U.S.).
* Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (black). This award-winning, high- performance wireless controller, now in black, features the Xbox® Guide Button for quick, in-game access to friends and music. It has a range of up to 30 feet and a battery life of 30 hours on two AA batteries. It is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.).
* Xbox 360 headset (black). Now available in black, the headset lets gamers strategize or trade taunts while playing games and send voice messages to friends on Xbox LIVE.
* Xbox 360 HDMI cable. New to Xbox 360, HDMI allows consumers to get HD video (up to 1080p) and multichannel surround sound, all from one cable.
* Xbox LIVE Silver Membership. With this, gamers can chat with friends online, collect achievements and gamerscores, send and receive voice and text messages, and access Xbox LIVE Marketplace content such as game demos, HD movies and TV, as well as the best in downloadable games from Xbox LIVE Arcade.
* One-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold. An Xbox LIVE Gold Membership provides a complete online entertainment experience. Those who subscribe to this premium service can engage in competitive online multiplayer matches, tailor their matchmaking via feedback and accomplishments, chat with more than one person at a time, and take advantage of unique privileges in the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and Xbox LIVE Arcade.

The following accessories for the Xbox 360 Elite console will only be sold separately:

* Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit. Complete with a charging cable and a black rechargeable battery pack, the Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit allows gamers to recharge their Xbox 360 Wireless Controller without interrupting their gameplay. it is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $19.99 (U.S.).
* Xbox 360 rechargeable battery (black). The rechargeable battery pack provides more than 25 hours of gameplay per charge. It is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $11.99 (U.S.).

From the press release:

Newport Beach, CA - Mar 27, 2007 Crave Entertainment, a leading publisher of console videogames, today announced Pinball Hall of Fame – The Williams Collection, the follow-up to the popular Pinball Hall of Fame – The Gottlieb Collection, for PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and WiiTM.

Pinball Hall of Fame – The Williams Collection faithfully recreates eight of the most memorable tables from the golden age of pinball in stunning, photorealistic 3D. Working closely with Williams to ensure authenticity of each of the games, the collection is highlighted by some of the most popular and innovative Williams pinball tables, including GorgarTM, the first-ever talking pinball machine, Black Knight®, which introduced “Magna-SaveTM” and Bonus Ball, and Space ShuttleTM, which took the pinball industry by storm in 1984. Every table has been meticulously recreated to bring players the visuals, sound effects and gameplay that made these games legendary successes. Pinball Hall of Fame – The Williams Collection harkens back to the arcades of the 1980s.

Players begin Pinball Hall of Fame – The Williams Collection with access to four pinball tables, and the remaining four tables are unlocked as the game progresses. Players can spend as little as two minutes on a quick pinball challenge, or delve deeper into the game, gaining rewards in a token-based system as they unlock each of the pinball tables. Single-player Arcade and Challenge modes provide hours of solo entertainment, and a Multiplayer mode lets players face each other head-on.

Pinball Hall of Fame – The Williams Collection will be available for PSP® system, PlayStation®2 system and WiiTM this year. Crave Entertainment is a publisher on this product for FarSight Studios, a licensee of Williams Electronic Games, Inc.

From the press release:

Tuesday 27th March/…NCsoft® Europe and ArenaNet® today revealed their exciting plans for the future of the hugely successful Guild Wars® franchise. The companies announced that development already is underway on a full sequel to the original Guild Wars games. Guild Wars 2™ will draw from the game mechanics that made the original Guild Wars one of the most popular online games ever and will add a fully persistent world. It was also revealed that, like its predecessors, Guild Wars 2 will not have a subscription fee. No launch date was announced, but the ArenaNet team anticipates that Guild Wars 2 will go into beta sometime in the second half of 2008.

In addition, ArenaNet developers are working on the first true expansion for the Guild Wars franchise, Guild Wars Eye of the North™. Due to hit store shelves during the Q3 2007, Guild Wars Eye of the North™ will require at least one of the previous Guild Wars campaigns (Prophecies™, Factions™, or Nightfall™) in order to play. It’s a game that will benefit long-time players of the Guild Wars games, with all of the content targeting existing Guild Wars characters.

“We felt it was extremely important to reward those people who have been playing Guild Wars since the game first launched in 2005,” said Jeff Strain, co-founder of ArenaNet. “Those players have seen three very large campaigns created in a little under two years and so we think it’s time to begin filling in the details of the existing world and to provide more content for current characters. We are thrilled to focus our time on something that our players have been asking for.”

Set largely in the dungeons and caverns of the lands of Tyria that players first explored in Guild Wars Prophecies, Guild Wars Eye of the North will have 18 large, multi-level dungeons, 150 new skills across all 10 Guild Wars professions, 10 new Heroes, 40 new armor sets, and even more items, weapons and titles.
And for those looking even further down the road at Guild Wars 2, Guild Wars Eye of the North will provide a Hall of Monuments where players’ accomplishments are memorialized and eventually inherited by their Guild Wars 2 characters, unlocking exclusive items and bonuses in Guild Wars 2.

“It’s the payoff we hope players will appreciate as we continue to build on the Guild Wars franchise,” said Strain. “We’re excited to announce these two new products and we want players to know that Guild Wars has an extremely exciting future in the months and years ahead.”

From the press release:

Tuesday 27th March/…Today NCsoft release Lineage II the Chaotic Throne: Interlude weaponry information written by Kelly Knox, Lineage II North America Community Manager

New and Improved Weaponry

Newly fashioned weapons, a “try before you buy” system for existing weapons, and a new method to enhance a weapon are all coming this April in the next major Lineage II game update, Interlude.

New Weapons

Twelve new weapons for player’s level 62 and above will be added in Interlude. These distinctive swords, staves, bow, and more are considered the best for their level. These weapons can also be endowed with a special ability that grants a beneficial effect like haste, more HP or MP, and more.

A new demonic weapon, Akamanah, is also coming in Interlude. Demonic weapons allow players to engage in Player vs. Player combat without fear of penalties, and the Akamanah is just as bloodthirsty as its inspiration, Zariche. The god of chaos, Gran Kain, imitated the Demonic Sword Zariche by shaping a blade with his blood. He named it “Aka.” The fallen goddess Shilen created another blade with her own blood and deemed it “Manah.” The two blades combined in the form of a dual sword, each held in one hand, and came to be known as the Blood Sword Akamanah.

A player wielding Akamanah is only given its amazing power for a short time. The bearer of Akamanah gains the skills Void Flow and Void Burst, and can strike other players without remorse.

Shadow Weapons

Existing weapons also get special attention in Interlude. Players now have a chance to try out a weapon before spending the time and money on the real thing with the addition of Shadow Weapons. A Shadow Weapon is just as powerful as its namesake and is more affordable to obtain, but has a limited lifespan.

Mid-level players ranging from levels 20 to 60 can take advantage of these temporary weapons. When players complete their class transfer quests at level 20 and level 40, they will receive a coupon for a free Shadow Weapon. Higher level Shadow Weapons can also be purchased from the weapon vendors in the village.

Weapon Augmentation

Players level 40 and above can also add all-new effects and benefits to their weapons in Interlude. The weapon augmentation system grants an ability or status to the weapon, with thousands of possibilities. Bonuses include active and passive skills or a boost to the player’s stats. The granted bonus is random, so players will enjoy putting their luck to the test to get the best abilities!

All that a player needs to add an augmentation is a Life Stone and gem stones. Life Stones are acquired from hunting monsters, and raid monsters have a better chance of dropping a high level Life Stone.

From new weapons to bonuses for existing weapons, there’s something for everyone looking to improve their weapon of choice in Interlude!

From the press release:

March 27, 2007 (Rockville, MD) — Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax Media company, and 2K today announced that The Elder Scrolls® IV: Shivering Isles™, the official expansion for the award-winning The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion®, is now shipping to retail stores throughout North America for Windows. Shivering Isles is also available today on Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft via Xbox Live® online entertainment network.

Shivering Isles features more than 30 hours of new gameplay and allows you to explore an entirely new plane of Oblivion – the realm of Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness. Shivering Isles adds to the existing world of Oblivion so you can continue playing with your existing save game/character, or create an all new character just to explore the new content.

Within the Realm of Sheogorath, players can explore the two extreme sides of the god’s madness – the sublimely creative and the completely psychotic. Something is happening to the Shivering Isles and Sheogorath himself looks to you to be his champion and defend his realm and its inhabitants from destruction. Do you have the strength to survive his trials, tame a realm fraught with paranoia and despair, and wear the mantle of a God?

The Shivering Isles features a bizarre landscape split between the two sides – Mania and Dementia –filled with vast, twisting dungeons mirroring the roots of the trees they are buried within. You’ll encounter more than a dozen new creatures including hideous insects, Flesh Atronachs, skeletal Shambles, and amphibious Grummites. Throughout your adventure, you will discover all new items, ingredients, spells, and much more. Or, you can have the talented craftsmen of Crucible and Bliss forge new armor and weapons just for you.

Released in March 2006 for Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows, Oblivion sold more than three million units in 2006. Among the countless awards and accolades it has garnered to date are Game of the Year and RPG of the Year honors from numerous outlets, including Spike TV’s 2006 Video Game Awards, G4’s G-phoria, the Golden Joystick Awards, GameSpot.com, ShackNews.com, Voodoo Extreme, FiringSquad.com, and many more. Oblivion received the #1 ranking on PC Gamer’s (UK) list of the top 100 games of all time and is the highest rated Xbox 360 game of all time according to Gamerankings.com and Metacritic.com.

The Windows version of Shivering Isles is available at retail and is co-published by Bethesda Softworks and 2K, while the Xbox 360 version is available through Xbox Live® online entertainment network by Bethesda Softworks.

From the press release:

Lake Forest, CA – March 27, 2007 – Reflexive Entertainment is proud to announce the release of its newest PC Game, Monarch: The Butterfly King. This new game places players into a story of magic and adventure as they attempt to stop a wizard bent on destroying the butterfly kingdom.

Journeying across majestic Celtic ruins, players create potions and harness magic in this match-game of enchantment. Making matches over metal plates, players release hidden ancient energies that The Butterfly King transforms into magic using his Orb of Power. The Butterfly King will use the power to free the butterflies and save the kingdom. As players complete levels, and the Butterfly King’s power grows, 26 gorgeous and exotic butterflies will be unlocked from their prisons. As each butterfly is freed, a new piece of the story is revealed. Monarch: The Butterfly King includes 150 levels for players to play through as they help rescue the kidnapped butterflies and determine the fate of the butterfly kingdom.

In addition to the 150 mesmerizing levels included, the action is kept fresh by the ability to download additional levels online from www.monarchthebutterflyking.com. Players may also create their own levels using the built-in level editor, and in turn share their creations online with others.

Speaking of sharing, Monarch: The Butterfly King makes it easy to share the fun of playing by including Mouse PartyTM. Using additional mice, up to 8 players can simultaneously play together to save the glade, as players create potions and make matches to help the Butterfly King free his kidnapped friends.

Featuring more than a hundred beautiful levels and a story fit for a king, Monarch: The Butterfly King is a exciting adventure through an enchanting world of magic and mystery. Monarch: The Butterfly King is now available for $19.95 through Reflexive Arcade (www.reflexive.com).

Read more »

From the press release:

This week, VH1 Game Break’s got a giant Wii giveaway for you. There’s one big, grand prize package and that includes one o’ them thar Nintendo Wii systems that’s taken the country by storm. But that’s not all! We’ll include a mammoth 10,000 Wii Points which lets you buy old school games via the Wii’s Shop Channel Online.

Know what? We’re not done yet. We’ll throw in a Nintendo T-shirt and cap, too.

The best part of this contest is that it’s really easy to enter and win. In the comments section, tell us your favorite anecdote about playing old school 80s games and how those great games shaped your life.

Don’t just write us one sentence. You have to write between 40 and 100 words or you’ll be disqualified. Make it funny, weird, sad, whatever. But definitely make it old school.

Click here (http://www.vh1gamebreak.com/contest.html) for a little more about the contest and the rules.

Start thinking today. The contest ends on Friday, March 30. Winners will be announced next Monday morning.

From the press release:

GORMLEY, Ontario, Canada – March 26, 2007 – High Definition gaming has arrived! Dragon’s Lair continues to revolutionize the video-game industry by becoming the first game title ever to be released for the Blu-ray* Disc High Definition format using BD-J.

An instant hit in its 1983 arcade debut, Dragon’s Lair has now been digitally restored and enhanced with an all-new 5.1 surround sound mix. The video has been transferred directly from the original film and cleaned frame by frame by Digital Leisure and authoring studio Infinite HD, creating a truly vibrant image. In addition, Dragon’s Lair is the first release to be authored in the Blu-ray Java environment, or BD-J, an advanced format that allows users to enjoy a fully arcade-authentic experience.

“I’ve seen the newly restored footage and it just looks amazing” says Don Bluth, original creator of Dragon’s Lair. “It looks even better than I can remember. The visuals, the 5.1 surround sound audio, all I can say is ‘Wow!’ Now a whole new generation can enjoy Dragon’s Lair all over again.”

All the special features on the disc are in full 1080p HD, including brand-new interviews with creators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman and Rick Dyer, and even a full length visual commentary of the game.

Digital Leisure plans to follow up Dragon’s Lair Blu-ray with the release of Space Ace and Dragon’s Lair II: Time Warp in the Blu-ray format.

Dragon’s Lair Blu-ray will be available April 9th at software and movie retailers as well as online at www.digitalleisure.com.

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