Last Friday, RQR went up against Monday Night Crew in a friendly Street Fighter IV match up. As Alan said, We got rocked…big time. The highlight of the night was Drew(RQR) VS. Dexter(MNC) Both players played great and really put on a show you can watch it right here:
DrewVsDexter
All great guys over at Monday Night Crew. Go check out their blog and comics over at www.mondaynightcrew.com

EA and Dice have released a new premium theme on the Xbox 360 for Battlefield Bad Company 2. The theme doesn’t change much like most do when looking at videos or your game library. Your friends do however get to hang out in front of different types of Military Vehicles and even an Anti-Tank gun. Not a whole lot to the theme but it’s still pretty nice looking. Video preview coming soon.

Price: 240 ms points

Size 2mb

Add to your download queue by clicking here.

Video preview coming soon.

Updates

Lemmings Update
Lemmings has been updated with a patch and a refreshed version for the PlayStation Store. Both the patch and store version contains the same new features to Lemmings which include Trophies and rumble support. For those of you with the demo or who maybe thinking about the demo, we have now included an extra two free levels. So it’s definitely worth taking a look at.

Unbound Saga Price Drop (now $9.99)

Novastrike Price Drop (now $4.99)
Downloadable Games

Interpol: The Trail Of Dr. Chaos ($9.99)
Track down the evil and destructive fugitive Dr. Chaos, as you hunt down clues in this exciting seek and find game. As an elite agent for Interpol, it is your mission to eradicate his trail of corruption as it takes you around the world from one international city to the next. Use your investigative skills to quickly gather the evidence needed to bring him to justice.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 174 MB

Switchball ($9.99)
Have a ball with the PlayStation 3! Travel as a transformable ball through five worlds and 30 levels of stunning 3-D mazes. Journey your way through traps, puzzles and challenges suspended in the sky, earning PS3 trophies as you go! Play as a single player, or try Race and Co-op multiplayer modes to compete with your friends!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 195 MB
PSone Classics PS3 / PSP

Final Fantasy Tactics ($9.99)
Returning from the pages of history, the game that redefined the Turn Based Strategy genre invites you back to the world of Ivalice. Conquer the intricate job system while unraveling the threads of a tale steeped in royal corruption and mystic beliefs. The War of the Lions rages again! Experience it today!
Rated T
File size: 214 MB

Tomb Raider III ($5.99)
The world’s most daring treasure hunter is back, fighting, shooting, kayaking and snowmobiling!
Rated T
File size: 366 MB
Game Demos (free)

FIFA Soccer 10 Demo
Download the demo now and play as six of the world’s top teams to experience first-hand all the new features and improvements FIFA 10 has to offer.
Rated E
File size: 995 MB

NBA LIVE 10 Demo
Relive two quarters of the epic 2008-09 NBA Finals with the NBA LIVE 10 demo. Play as the L.A. Lakers or the Orlando Magic and test out gameplay improvements to both ends of the court. Experience playoff atmosphere basketball with a high intensity crowd that cheers their team to victory. Use the latest player tendencies and stats, powered by Dynamic DNA, to bring your game to the next level.
Rated E
File size: 799 MB
Add-on Game Content

Batman Arkham Asylum Insane Night Challenge Map Pack (free)
Become the Invisible Predator and experience the unique FreeFlow combat system in these 2 new Challenge Maps for Batman: Arkham Asylum set in original locations from Arkham Island.
File size: 116 MB

Guitar Hero
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

* “Beautiful Thieves” by AFI ($1.99)
* “Girls Not Grey” by AFI ($1.99)
* “The Missing Frame” by AFI ($1.99)
* AFI Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “Beautiful Thieves”, “Girls Not Grey”, “The Missing Frame” by AFI. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.

File size: 39 MB – 49 MB (singles) 121 MB (track pack)

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

* “666″— Anvil ($1.99)
* “This Is Thirteen”— Anvil ($1.99)
* “Metal on Metal”— Anvil ($1.99)
* Anvil Pack 01 ($5.49) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: Anvil Pack 01. This pack includes: “666,” “Metal on Metal,” and “This Is Thirteen” by Anvil.
* “Hand Me Down World”— The Guess Who ($1.99)
* “No Time”— The Guess Who ($1.99)
* “Rock Your Socks”— Tenacious D ($1.99)
* “Tribute”— Tenacious D ($1.99)
* “Pick Me Up”— Dinosaur Jr ($1.99)
* “The Wagon”— Dinosaur Jr ($1.99)

File sizes: 24 MB – 46 MB (singles) 112 MB (track pack)
Game Videos (free)

GT PSP Creator Interview
File size: 133 MB (HD) 218 MB (1080)

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 E3 Video
File size: 67 MB (HD)

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 NYCC Trailer
File size: 84 MB (HD)

Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Vignette – AC130
File size: 54 MB (HD) 89 MB (1080)

Demon’s Souls Premiere Trailer
File size: 126 MB (HD)

Welcome to Need for Speed SHIFT Video
File size: 44 MB (HD)

Need for Speed SHIFT: Drift in SHIFT
File size: 56 MB (HD)

Need for Speed SHIFT: Exclusive Driver Profile Feature Video
File size: 49 MB (HD)

FIFA Soccer 10 Official Trailer
File size: 74 MB (HD)

NBA 2K10 Teaser 1
File size: 40 MB (HD)
Themes

Katamari Forever and NOBY NOBY BOY Final Theme (free)
File size: 18 MB

Batman Arkham Asylum: ‘Joker Theme’ (free)
File size: 2.2 MB

Ghost Skulls Theme ($1.49)
File size: 4.82 MB

Bloody Escape Theme ($1.49)
File size: 5.71 MB

Natasha Yi Theme ($1.99)
File size: 5.02 MB

A Pirate’s Booty Theme ($1.99)
File size: 3.60 MB

Light and Shadows Theme ($1.99)
File size: 9.24 MB

Star Trek – Terran Empire Theme ($1.99)
File sizes: 6.78 MB

Star Trek – Original Series Theme ($1.99)
File sizes: 12.58 MB

Star Trek Dual Pack Themes ($3.99)
File size: 19.36 MB
Wallpaper (free)

Fat Princess Wallpaper 2
File size: 266 KB (SD) 384 KB (HD)
PlayStation Store for PSP
Downloadable Games

State Shift ($9.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
State Shift is a sci-fi racing game set in the not so distant future. Where civilization is crumbling under the stress of the depletion of natural resources, a group of free spirits from around the world compete in illegal races at the most spectacular locations. There are no rules! State Shift boasts various single player modes (including an expansive career mode) and also features an adrenaline pumping ad-hoc multiplayer mode.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 106 MB
Add-on Game Content

Rock Band Unplugged (also available from PS3 storefront)
Build your Rock Band Unplugged library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

* “Bring Me to Life”— Evanescence ($1.99)
* “Back from the Dead”— Spinal Tap ($1.99)

File sizes: 18 MB (each)

Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce Pack 5 DLC (free) (also available from PS3 storefront)
Quest Pack #5- Send your Strikeforce in for the ultimate test with these new missions. Also includes all previous Quest Packs. To learn more about this pack and about Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce go to www.koei.com/strikeforce
File size: 1.13 MB
Game Videos (free)

GT PSP Creator Interview
File size: 21 MB

WipEout PULSE Trailer
File size: 9 MB
PSP Themes

My Bloody Valentine PSP Theme ($1.49) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File sizes: 552 KB

Transporter 3 PSP Theme ($1.49) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File sizes: 423 KB

The Godfather PSP Theme ($1.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 548 KB

Star Trek – Terran Empire PSP Theme ($1.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: .88 MB

Star Trek – Original Series PSP Theme ($1.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 1.06 MB

Star Trek Dual Pack PSP Themes ($3.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 1.94 MB
PSP Wallpaper (free)

Fate/unlimited Codes PSP Wallpaper 1
File size: 63 KB

Here’s the latest Need for Speed: Shift trailer featuring the Renault Megane RS. Looks pretty sweet. Don’t forget, the game ships next week, September 15. See ya on the tracks.

Here’s the newest trailer for the upcoming Need for Speed: Shift. The video takes you through a quick guide to capitalizing on the track, Road America. As you can see from the video, the game really does feel more of a simulation that you must strategize how and when to do certain driving moves. It’s shaping up to be quite an impressive game.
Don’t forget, the game releases in North America on September 15th.

First off, here’s a little video preview/review of the game that we did over at Rage Quit Radio. You can get a small feel for what the game looks like and plays: 

Watch live video from Rage Quit Radio on Justin.tv

Watch live video from Rage Quit Radio on Justin.tv

You remember SNK, right? You know, those guys who made a ton of fighting games back in the day. Do you remember Fatal Fury? Remember there was a game that featured Fatal Fury characters with a mash up of other game characters. Yeah, it was called The King of Fighters. Well guess what. They’re back.
For years now, The King of Fighters(KOF) series has always been a top of the line fighting game. Right up there with Street Fighter. So much in fact, that Capcom and SNK got together and created a handful of “Vs.” games featuring some of their awesome characters. To be honest, in recent years, KOF have become kinda stale with only updated rosters and very small game play and graphical changes. Well here in the twelfth game, they finally decided to do an overhaul.

And overhaul they did. First off, let me speak about the graphics. The backgrounds are beautifully detailed and very animated. Everything in this game is hand-drawn, every single pixel. The characters themselves move very fluidly and look terrific. The only thing bad I have to say about the graphics has nothing to do with the graphics, but the camera. For some reason, the camera feels zoomed in just a little too far. This, in turn, make the characters look a little pixelated. It’s not bad by any means, just noticeable.
The interface and menus fall somewhat short. It’s very basic and standard. They get the job done, but it’s nothing flashy at all. One major problem I had with the menus is if you accidentally go into the wrong mode and you want to back out, you can’t. You literally have to select characters, choose the order, choose the stage, let the game load, start the fight, pause the game, and finally go back to the main menu. This is something that happened to me a good amount of times, all of which could have been solved by implementing a “back” button.

Now, let’s talk about what really matters, game play. The game is mainly based on 3-on-3 fights. You can choose to fight 1-on-1, but the arcade mode requires 3-on-3. You select your characters and the order you want to fight with them. You play with your first fighter until he/or she is KO’d, then you bring out your other fighters. There is no switching in and out during fights. If you defeat the first character, your fighter will gain a little health back before taking on the next guy. The fighting is based on a four button attack pattern: light punch and kick,hard punch and kick. It’s quite simple but very complex. Combos can easily be executed and then followed up with a special attack or hard hitting punch or kick. There is a super meter at the bottom of the screen that will fill up when attacking and defending. Once it’s full, you can unleash a devastating super move on you opponent. These are sometimes one big hit or a big animated combo depending on the character. A new addition to the game is Critical Counters. Below your health, is the critical counter meter that will fill up just like the super meter. When it’s full it will slowly deplete. During that time you can preform a Critical Counter. To initiate the move you have to be standing still and hit your opponent with a hard punch or kick. If you land the hit, the camera zooms in, your opponent is stunned(he can’t block or attack), and you can let loose with attacks until the critical counter is over. This is a great way to turn the tables on a fight, especially if you follow the combo up with a super move. There is also a dodge and roll mechanic to get you out of the way of attacks using the triggers. A knock back attack that can be charged almost like a focus attack in Street Fighter IV makes an appearance as well. There is also a new guard counter attack that will block an attack in a short time window that will automatically counter with an attack. It’s a very nice touch. Finally, there is a new feature to the fighting called “Sousai” where you and your opponent attack with attacks of the same power that clash together. When this happens, no damage is dealt and both fighters are pushed back. The game play is top notch. No lie there. Feels like the game I knew and loved for all those years.

If you are familiar with the KOF series, you will recognize characters and their moves immediately. Fan favorites like Terry Bogard, Kyo Kusanagi, and Joe Higashi are here with all their familiar moves. The one thing I do have to note is the omission of some super moves and some characters(what ever happenedto Mai Shiranui?) With only 22 fighters, it feels a little on the small side when it comes to the character roster. Another problem I found with the game is the fact that there is almost no story involved with the arcade mode. Basically, there’s a King of Fighters tournament and you fight in it. Then, you win the tournament. The end. Yeah, nothing spectacular there. In fact, the arcade mode only has five stages and you are timed on each one, almost like a time attack mode. Many of the achievements and trophies have to do with how fast you can beat the arcade mode. I can do it in around 6 minutes.

There are versus mode that features both local play and online play. The local play is a blast with your buddies on the couch. The online play…not so much. I like what they tried to do with the online, and it could work out, but, unfortunately, it doesn’t work…at all. The online play is horrible. There is major lag involved in pretty much all matches. I’ve played around 40 matches and only about 5 of those were not laggy. The game tries to compensate for the lag so it actually feels like the frame-rate drops majorly. I’m going to be honest, it is unplayable, which is a crying shame. There are some things here that would be great if it worked. You can start a clan, save fights and create videos, even have open lobbies for others to play with you, but the sad truth is, no one will want any of that because the online play is horrible. There is also a training mode to let you get used to the controls and learn the character’s moves. On the main menu, there is a selection that says “Marketplace” so I’m thinking they may add some characters for download which would be nice, but if the online stays the way it is, people may not pay to play with them. No fighting game would be complete without unlockables, right? Well there are some, just nothing too special. All unlockables are concept and character art.

This whole review, I’ve tried my best to be positive about this game. The honest truth is, this game is not bad at all. It’s just hindered majorly by problems. Don’t get me wrong the core game and game play is some of the best fighting you’ll find out there on the market. I’d go as far to say that locally, it’s a more competent fighter than Street Fighter IV. The game just feels miniature. If the online worked, I’d say all fighting game fans should buy this game, but with the way it is right now, I’d wait for a price drop.

 The Good: Beautiful graphics, Game play is one of the best, Great concept, Truly fun game.

The Bad: Unplayable online mode, Small character roster, Menus will trap you with no “back” button, Almost no story at all, Just doesn’t have that “Umph”

Bottom Line: If you’re a fighting game fan…use your judgement. If you don’t own Street Fighter IV, get that instead. I hate to say it, but this is a $39.99 game that’s being priced at $59.99. The game play is terrific both in arcade mode and local versus, but the online kills it for me. Here’s the truth, if you like fighting games and you plan on playing with friends locally, pick this game up. If you play more solo or online, wait. If you’re a KOF fan, pick this game up. You will love it. Everyone else…you might want to wait.

Final Grade: 6.9

Everyone remembers Need for Speed. From the very first game, Hot Pursuit 2, or Carbon everyone has experienced these racers. Well, the franchise is back again, this time with a little different setup. Need for Speed: Shift is going for the more realistic type of racing. It’s shaping up to be a very unique title coming to the Xbox 360, PC, PSP, and PlayStation 3. We got ourselves a brand new set of videos featuring some of the world’s best race car drivers talking about the sport and how Shift will be implementing those features into the game for everyone to experience. Here’s a little more about the game:
“Need for Speed Shift, developed by Slightly Mad Studios, is built by racers for racers, delivering an authentic and immersive driving experience, replicating the true feeling of racing high-end performance cars like never before. Players are thrust into the heart of the action with immersive and exciting features including a stunningly realistic first-person cockpit view camera and an all-new crash mechanic, providing an unrivaled sensation of the speed and feeling of racing a car on the extreme edge of control.”
Check out the videos:

The game releases on September 15 in North America.

Whew! less than a week from now(July 28th), we’ll be able to get our hands on the all new King of Fighters XII on both the PS3 and Xbox 360. Will you be there? To hold you guys over, here’s yet another beautiful gameplay trailer.

Street Fighter had better watch out. That’s all I gotta say. This game looks amazing. I really do think that this is the year for fighting games to make a comeback. I can’t wait for this game. Luckily, we all don’t have to for too much longer. This baby releases on July 20th on both the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. For now, here’s another mind blowing trailer. It plays in HD so It will take up some room, but trust me, you’ll want to see it in HD.

And as an added bonus, I gotta put up a video featuring my boy, Terry Bogard.