Bungie has always had some weird obsession with the number 7. So much so that every 7th day of the 7th month is heralded as Bungie day. Last year we were treated to some lovely free Bungie flavoured gamer pics and theme, which was only up on market place for 1 weekend, keeping it super exclusive to the ones who managed to grab it in time. This years a real treat as they’re giving us their new upcoming Halo 3 map Cold Storage, completely free. For those that don’t know, Cold Storage is a remake of Halo: CE’s Chill Out and you can check out a few images of it, in the gallery below. If that wasn’t enough there will also be free gamer pics and theme, although whether its the same as last years we won’t know until its released. The Legendary Map pack will also be getting a reduced price of 600 MS points.

I’ll be the first to admit i’ve not played Halo 3 in a while but i’ll certainly be downloading this on the day and giving it a whirl. Feel free to discuss this at our forums, HERE.

- Walker

Source

Rock Band 2 was officially announced today. IGN reports Harmonix is shooting for a September release on the 360, with other platforms seeing a release later on this year.

Details on the upcoming release mention that all existing Rock Band instruments will work with the sequel, and there will of course be newer upgraded versions for those who never picked up the original. Also worth noting is that all Rock Band DLC will be playable in Rock Band 2, providing backwards compatibility. Harmonix also stated we can expect to see more online interactivity with the new release.

Check out the full story at IGN here, then share your thoughts in our forums section.

-glitch-

Ninja Gaiden 2
Platforms: Xbox 360 – Developer/Publisher: Team Ninja/Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Action - Single Player
Reviewed by: Glitch/teh_ace_playa (Thomas)

Introduction:

We all know Ninja Gaiden. Some of us love it, due to it’s incredible combat and challenging gameplay. Others of us tend to get too angry at the game’s skill requirement. The latest installment in the franchise still provides the player with the excellent combat and insane difficulty, but falls short on many other fronts. Most any gamer will be able to point out how severely unpolished this title is. Faults aside, this is still a solid title and fans of the series will be pleased.

Read the rest of both reviews here

-Thomas

It may have taken two years too long but Microsoft has finally provided the option to update the licenses of our DRM protected content. 

The process is fully explained at Major Nelson’s site , just be aware that you need a computer connected to the internet to use this tool. 

If you have any questions or comments, make sure to post them in our forums!

Thanks Reaver for the info.

More info after the jump.

(more…)

In case you didn’t feel like showing up to the UT3 party on the other platforms, the game is officially shipping for the Xbox 360 on July 7th. Estimates are the game will be on store shelves by the 9th and 10th. This is a global ship date, so no scouring around for info on your neck of the woods. 

The latest release of the game will come with five exclusive maps not found on other platforms, along with two new characters. Further, you’ll also get the previously-released DLC, and even further you’ll get a 2 minute Gears of War 2 multiplayer Video filled with as-of-yet unreleased footage. Oh yeah, and the game will also feature two-player splitscreen. It seems Epic is really jamming the value into this one.

To be honest, I’ve never been that into the Unreal games when I played them on PC. However the two-player splitscreen here wets my pallet. And I’m a self confessed sucker for exclusive content. This package sounds like a great deal on already established title.

Source

Discuss

-glitch-

Rumors have begun circulating yet again that Microsoft will soon be adding Blu-ray to the Xbox 360. Several sites recently have claimed insider knowledge and several of the home theater forums across the web are hosting hot debate between fanboys on both sides. As to the validity of these claims, Robbie Bach with Microsoft has squashed these rumors in an interview featured in Sunday’s edition of the San Francisco Chronicle.

“Our plan continues to focus on high-definition experiences. Xbox 360 has a great ability to deliver those through the Xbox Live (online download) service. It’s a great way to get the high-definition concept because it’s right there. There’s no additional media. There is nothing you need to purchase.

If you look at the Blu-ray player market, you haven’t seen the acceleration everybody expected (since the demise of HD DVD). It’s not as much about whether all the content is in a Blu-ray format or a HD DVD format. You have to look at how fundamentally compelling the difference is between a progressive scan DVD player and the picture that it can produce and what you get on a high-definition player. The reality is there is some difference, but most people look at it and say, “I am not going to pay extra for that.”

So there it is. As many Wii60 readers have said in a handful of threads over the last six months, Microsoft will focus on their IP Distributed media via Xbox Live.

The interview has much more to say about Microsoft’s plans for the future, which you can read here: Source

As always, we invite you to join the discussion and let us know what you think here.

-glitch-

Well, among yet another shooter it seems we have quite the interesting new title, known as Roogoo. It contains geometry, a word that scares some of use, but the current reviews claim it a decent puzzler. It is a definite try in my book, because the gameplay looks interesting and fresh. If you’re a fan of puzzlers, take a look at Roogoo. If, however, you’re not tired of the countless Arcade Shooters, check out  Aces of the Galaxy.

Discuss

XBLA Games List

-Thomas 

So this week’s episode of GT TV had an exclusive trailer for the upcoming Resident Evil 5. Not many surprises in this trailer if you saw the E3 2007 trailer, however we do see some gameplay and the return of the third person view. As far as characters go, it looks like Chris Redfield will be joined by a new female accomplice who apparently can “hold her own”, her words not mine. Discuss this at our forums, HERE.

- Walker

Source

Most of you will already know since the info appeared on the Gamestop site a week or so ago but Microsoft’s Gamerscore blog just confirmed that the Xbox 360 version of Gears of War will be getting a price cut to $39.99 MSRB in the US & Canada on June 4th, the PC version will also drop to $29.99. They will also be releasing a 2 disc edition on June 24th with the maps that are already free over Live, some trailers and gamerpics + themes. The Gamerscore guys would also like to remind us the new version will not include the PC’s exclusive Brumak battle level.

I’ll just quickly point out there really is no benefit to getting the new edition (unless of course, you don’t own the game) since the maps still have to be stored on the hard drive and aren’t on the disc which is disappointing. Still if you don’t already own Gears of War, now you have a great chance to pick up one of Xbox 360’s finest games and save some money in the process (though you could probably get a used copy cheaper still!).

No word on whether us Europeans will be getting a similar deal but hopefully we will somewhere down the line. Want info on what exactly is on the bonus disc of the 2 disc edition? Hit the jump. Want to discuss this? Head on over to our forums, HERE.

- Walker

Source

(more…)

While Japan already has the demo on their marketplace, Major Nelson brings word that the demo will be available “for all other Xbox LIVE regions” by the end of next week. Can’t wait? Now if only there was a way to create a new Japanese account…. Oh wait! Still, you would have thought they could have released the demo at least a week or two before the game hit store shelves. Discuss HERE.
- Walker

Source