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| LucasArts joins Activision, leaves the ESA |
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A few weeks ago it was revealed that Activision had left the Entertainment Software Association, taking Vivendi with it, and we hinted that others might soon be following their lead. Well, it's now been confirmed that LucasArts is the next company leaving the trade group. "Today, we can confirm that one of our members, LucasArts, has decided not to renew its membership," announced ESA spokesman Rich Taylor. "We value each member of our association, but respect the unique factors that led to LucasArts' decision." LucasArts, for its part, has stated that it still supports the ESA's goals in the industry and will still be attending E3. The company has not revealed why it is not renewing its membership and hasn't said if this is in any way related to Activision's decision to opt out of the organization. This is not good news for the ESA by any stretch, and could present a severely damaging financial blow to the trade group, not to mention the harm this will do to its credibility. You can read the full statements from the ESA and LucasArts after the jump.
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| Destructoid review: SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 |
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I can't convey to you how bad I wanted a Neo Geo console back in the day. Unfortunately, the price always held me back. I remember one particularly bad time where I traveled quite a distance to finally get one, only to hover at this location for hours, looking longingly at the box and never fully committing. In 2008, these games of the early 1990s don't seem to have the $600 appeal that they did back then. But there's no denying that the console, and more importantly, the arcade system (MVS for you SNK geeks), saw some great videogames. In the long run, I probably saved a bunch of money by pumping quarters into those red-topped Neo Geo arcade machines. Sure, I played a lot of Samurai Showdown back in the day. But I'm sure I didn't drop $600 worth of quarters. SNK Playmore takes us back to those days with the release of their SNK Arcade Classics: Vol. 1 for PSP and PS2. Do these games stand the test of time? Are they still worth your quarters? Hit the jump to read our full review.
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| New WiiWare titles coming next week: Critter Round-Up and Star Soldier R |
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If you're missing your Virtual Console releases (all four of you), I have bad news for you: it looks like Nintendo will be releasing two new WiiWare titles this Monday instead of Virtual Console titles. The horror! Reps at this past week's Konami and Hudson media events remarked that the titles Critter Round-Up and Star Soldier R would be released on May 19th. These titles were released at launch in Japan. Critter Round-Up has you playing the role of a farmer trying to keep his animals properly assembled in their pens, while Star Soldier R looks to be Hudson's WiiWare take on the classic shooter series. That would surely get a smile out of Destructoid's resident shooter-lover. Nintendo has not confirmed these titles yet, but I'd wager that I'll be back on Monday repeating the official version, including pricing. [Via Wired -- Thanks, Adam]
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| Indie Nation #18: Everyday Shooter |
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If you're one of those "people" who either owns a PS3 or is friends with someone who owns one, then this week's Indie Nation may be totally useless to you. If, like me and so many others, your first chance to actually play Everyday Shooter arrived a week ago when the game finally appeared on Steam, then you might want to know how badass this game is. As always, I'd normally suggest that you just go get the game and play it without any suggestion or background from me, but given that (A) it costs around $10 on Steam and there's no demo, and (B) most of the things I'll be talking about have been thrown around since the game first appeared on the PSN, I think there'll be less harm than usual in your hitting the jump and reading about what makes this game so awesome. In other words, just hit the jump and read about what makes this game so awesome.
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| Sega Gamer's Day '08: Golden Axe: Beast Rider screens |
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All went a bit quiet on the Golden Axe front, but we now have a selection of new screens from its current-gen revitalization, Golden Axe: Beast Rider. The concept is simple -- take the monster spurring fun of the classic Golden Axe games, and expand it. A lot. The graphics are decent (though not the best to come out of Sega) and the art direction is pretty cool, especially on the creatures. I do long for more old school Golden Axe combat though, as I think the beat 'em up genre is a disappointingly long-dead glory. That said, this could still turn out well. It could also blow chunks, so we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed. If nothing else, riding on the backs of dueling ogres is certainly a selling point.
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| Sega Gamer's Day 2008: new Samba De Amigo screenies |
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Samba de Amigo is a solid competitor for Happiest Rhythm Game Of All Time up against my all time favorite, Taiko No Tatsujin. A lot of people have missed this gem on the Dreamcast, but thanks to its upcoming release on Wii, a whole new generation of gamers can get in on the maracas-shaking fun. The game was shown at Sega's recent Gamers Day, and the screenshots show Samba looking more eccentric and fun than ever. Check out the gallery for nine new screens which depict gameplay in front of a captive audience. Check out some of the detail in those shots -- the people in the top right corner especially look as if they are on the verge on a joy-induced aneurysm. HAPPY! The game is due this Spring, so we may not have to wait too long before we can re-enact elated dance spasms in the privacy of our own living rooms. Yay!
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| Sega Gamer's Day '08: Brand new Sonic Unleashed screens |
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Courtesy of Sega and its Gamer's Day, we have a set of new screenshots for you. Say what you will about the Weresonic idea and Sonic Team's track record, there's no denying that this title looks bloody beautiful, at the very least. Of course, most Sega games have the looks, but it's the gameplay that matters and here is where Sonic Team consistently trips up. I am not yet prepared to totally write it off, but Sonic Unleashed follows a long string of console disappointments, so it remains to be seen whether Sonic Team can cut the mustard on modern home platforms. We shall see.
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| Reminder: PS3 and Deca Sports contests ending, get your entries in! |
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The Destructoid team likes to share the wealth, so instead of sitting on the endless shipments of consoles and games that come sandwiched inbetween the gaggles of Japanese models and high end actors that come in and out of our office on a daily basis, we find it does our hearts better to share it all with you. (That version of our office exists in my mind, by the way.) The Destructoid PS3/Casino Royale contest runs through June 1st and gives you a shot to take home a PS3 and a copy of Casino Royale on Blu-Ray. There's no better excuse to win a free PS3, so get to the Bond: Top Agent demo and start twiddling. Also, our Deca Sports contest ends today and is even easier to sock a last minute entry into -- just go to this site and say "I want a Deca Sports demo!" If only everything in life were that easy. Get your entries in there by the end of the day if you want a spin at four of the game's ten sports games. Free baby ciabatta not included with prize.
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| The week in Rock Band DLC: European bonus tracks come to North America |
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As if the Europeans aren't mad enough, Harmonix and MTV Games just sent us an email about next week's downloadable Rock Band content for North America. Surprise! It's all of the bonus tracks you guys are getting when the game finally ships this August next week! "Beetlebum" (Blur)*
"Hier Kommt Alex" (Die Toten Hosen)
"Countdown To Insanity" (H-Block X)
"Perfekte Welle" (Juli)
"New Wave" (Pleymo)
"Monsoon" (Tokio Hotel)
"Hysteria" (Muse)
"Rock 'n' Roll Star" (Oasis)
"Manu Chao" (Les Wampas)
Each track will be available for $1.99 (or 160 MS Points), and will hit the Xbox 360 on Tuesday, May 20, and the PlayStation 3 on Thursday, May 22. Rock Band information fiend power-glove posted some videos earlier today in his community blog, and I said: " That bass chart on 'Hysteria' looks fun. Do want. Hope this hits DLC sooner rather than later in NA." So let me try this: I hope I get a pony sooner rather than later. I'll get back to you guys and let you know how that works out. (Note: That asterisk next to Blur's "Beetlebum" means it's not a master track. Bitch away, whiners.)
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