XBox 360 Rally

Over 10,000 stores are going to be opening at midnight for you Halo geeks (I swear not me!). However, only four stores are going to be bringing out the big assault rifles.

New York: Best Buy on 5th Avenue (by Times Square)
Both Spike TV and G4 will broadcast from there, as well as appearances from Bungie team members and random celebrities.

Los Angeles: GameStop at Universal CityWalk location
Again, Spike TV and G4 will be there, also contests, celebrity autograph session (who, which celebrity?!), and an appearance by Master Chief himself (well, I guess that answers my celebrity autograph question).

Miami: Circuit City (8575 Northwest 13th Terrace)
Some Bungie people will be here too! Along with some Miami Dophins players .. meh, they are going to sign autographs and play against fans. I *might* attempt to get to this Miami one as it would only be a couple of hours drive for me. I do love seeing geeks in groups.

Seattle: Best Buy (457 120th Ave NE, Bellevue)
Some Bungie people will be here, woo!

All four locations will have chances for prizes (shirts, books, other swag, even a Halo 3 Zune)
—

Halo 3, Midnight Launch, Chris Chambers, Joey Porter, Miami Dolphins, Miami, LA, Los Angeles, Seattle, NY, New York, Xbox 360, Prizes, Too Much Halo 3 News Daily, Best Buy, Circuit City, GameStop, Zune

I have emailed Hudson with no reply on whether this is pure lulz coming from the Dtoid guys, which though is possible, this is looking to be pretty true so far. A little background, much like sites such as Joystiq or Kotaku, Destructoid was a gaming blog, but with a little twist, they are more community driven and just a lot more fun, all while still keeping up with the video game news. Destructoid is pure indie, there is no AOL or other such “network” of sites backing them up, pure independent media. So for them to get the connections with Hudson, who is a company that would certainly have the fun enough attitude to support an indie web site that had a recognizable character that represents them (Mr Destructoid) into their game, it all does make sense.

If you see their announcement page for this news (Here) you will see the other new character models and levels that will come in the “Bomb Up Pack 2″ later this month. I have yet to get a press release for the pics of the new characters and levels, so I just await an email back from Hudson to at the least take this out of the Mill o Rumor section. No matter what, hats off from myself and JW here at Xbox360Rally.com for making it into one of the best XBLA games made (if its true!)

For now, here is the other updates that we should be seeing in the DLC pack:

* * Ten New Characters – In addition to Destructoid, other new characters include “Bomberella” the cavewoman and “El Bombito” the matador, resulting in countless new ways for players to customize their in-game Bomberman. Other characters include Alien Bomber, Bomb the Fool, Bomberbell, Flower Bomb, Debbie Downer, Bomber X, and Bomb of Doom. Check out the gallery for a first look at the other characters!

* * Two Additional Levels – New arenas include “Medieval Times,” a level in which bombs and sorcery collide and that allows players to select any gimmick they want, and “Full Tilt,” a level set at a racetrack which features speed circles that dictate how fast players move.
* * One New Game Mode – “Bomb Shelters” will allow players to hide from explosions in a small, fireproof building.
* * Two New Leaderboards – Dominate the competition on two new ranking systems on the Xbox LIVE® network. The new leaderboards will track performance on both a weekly and an all-time basis for the speed circle gimmicks on the new “Full Tilt” map.

—

DESTRUCTOID, Hudson, Hudsonsoft, Bomberman Live, Congratulations, New Levels, New Characters

A Microsoft spokesperson, in a statement to gamesindustry.biz spokesman said, quote:

While we cannot comment on specific numbers for the US sales of the Legendary SKU, we can confirm that demand remains high and the highly-collectible version of the game is on track to be sold out by the time Halo 3 launches next week.

This isn’t really surprising, especially since it’s already sold out in the UK. Hell, even I have pre-ordered the Halo 3 Legendary Edition. I admit that at first I pre-ordered it simply because I was expecting to be one of the few who were, as my mother put it, “stupid enough to spend $130 on a video game”. However, as the time has passed (I pre-ordered in April), I’ve become very excited about getting my hands on this…

…even if my Xbox isn’t back by then.

[gamesindustry]

Microsoft, Xbox 360, Bungie, Halo 3

Though a complete rip off of that World of Warcraft diet guy (link), the concept of Gamercize is that you have to keep working out (like on one of those walk/run in place type machines) and that will keep your controller on. The way I think it worked with the Warcraft guy was that the exercise becomes a second thought, as you are concentrating on the video game.

Some information directly from their site:
“Gamercize interacts with your game console’s controller stopping it working when you are not exercising and letting you play normally when you are exercising.

Gamercize does not limit gameplay by physical skill or ability, and does not make games harder to control. You choose the exercise level for maximum enjoyment of the game and greatest fitness benefit for you.

Gamercize can work with any type of exercise machine but cycle and stepper are the best choice, as these machines leave your hands free to operate the controller.”

Honestly, this isn’t a bad idea at all, sort of takes the Nintendo’s Wii Fit game idea and expands it to let you play any game, but there is a sad part to all this, the people who make this have the worst marketing team ever. Do yourself a favor and hit up Gamercize.net, where you too can find out that “Gamercize is 6 times more popular than exercise alone.” (I would like to see the scientific studies to back up such a claim of grandeur). Be prepared, the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions are coming soon!
—
(more…)

Dear Rare:

It’s time we talked about the future, or actually, the present plus the future, and hell, the past too. Presently there is no good fighting games on the Xbox 360, yeah, I honestly can’t wait for Soul Calibur, but Dead or Alive… meh, Virtual Fighter.. well, it is better than Dead or Alive at least. The other choices are Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. I thought RPG’s would be the top genre that would be ignored on the 360, however with Blue Dragon here, Eternal Sonata coming up, plus a decent amount more on the way, that is covered. “Casual” games, covered. Shooters, well covered (CoD4 Beta is win btw). So, now to get to the future, I think its time to bring back the past, with a little Killer Instinct.

To be honest, I would accept an XBLA version of Killer Instinct, maybe take a second out to HD the graphics (or go all out like that Street Fighter II HD Remix game). Just some nice online lag free play and throw in an extra character or level for good measure. Though I was honest, lets get down to business. Okay, Banjo-Kazooie is coming out, I am excited, but now time to move on to the next project. I realize you guys are hard at work on something already I’m sure… but, its still early, take a few of your staff (90%), and get started on Killer Instinct 360.

We all love you Rare, Perfect Dark wasn’t perfect, but, it wasn’t that bad. I have never heard anyone who has played Kameo say bad things about it. All Viva Pinata users are hooked from what I can tell. However, we want that “Goldeneye” game that will make people compare Rare to the mighty Bungie (which pound for pound I already think there is good arguments for who is “the best” out of each developer..but I digress).

Lets talk the game, 3D or 2D, I would honestly take either. I know you at Rare know the 360 inside and out by now, so go all out in the graphics department. Breakable and interactive stuff everywhere. Fire, explosion, electricity, etc. Oh, and bring back the combo system, so fun. New characters of course. As a bonus, maybe a throwback level. Killer Instinct, at the time of it coming in both arcades and even Super Nintendo, blew people away by being different and graphically amazing, now is the time to do both again. We are not alone in this way of thinking, look at these many requests:
(more…)

Quick update: Contest got put out at just the wrong time, but now its a little better. Who knew the day I started this Call of Duty 4 Beta Invite contest that all of a sudden Eurogamer AND GameSpot would copy our give-away and offer a crapload more invites. Rest assured, they are on our shit list. Well, the contest is still on, and as an added bonus, it is now 3 people who can win a code. Either way, if you get a code from elsewhere, go ahead and enter here too and find a friend to give the code to!

The Call of Duty 4 Multiplayer Invite only Beta. Didn’t get in?! Here is your chance. I received a copy of an invite myself just recently (Thanks EternalDarkWing of DESTRUCTOID), thing is, I had already been invited and have been enjoying the Beta for a while now, and it seems since our janitor JW doesn’t have a working 360 at the moment (DAMN YOU RED RINGS!), he is willing to give up his code as well on top of me giving up mine (I think it is safe to say our spots in heaven are reserved). We want to make this as quickly and painless as possible. Now, since the word on the street is they are going to cut the Beta till the 30th of this month (though nothing is confirmed), this contest is going to be a quick one to make sure you can get to playing as soon as possible so you can start leveling up! Without further adieu, the official rules on how to win one of the two beta codes we have:

Make a comment on this page including two things:

Why you deserve to be in the beta.

Your Xbox Live GamerTag.

Make sure the email contact you are required to put in to leave a comment, is a valid address. Contest will end on Friday, September 14th at 11:59pm EST, so make sure to get your comment in before then.

Exactly like how the Golden Axe contest went, all entries will be thrown into a random.org list and the top 2 choices get to start kicking ass in the most played demo/beta out right now (you know you have someone on your friends list playing!) That’s it! That is all it takes, stop waiting, make a comment and just make sure your valid GamerTag is in there too!

The inner speed demon in me just squeeled in delight, as Bizarre Creations announced that Project Gotham Racing 4 has gone GOLD. For those of you who don’t know what that means… that means it’s done. The final car count, for those of you who are curious, is 122, split into groups A thru G.

Full Press Release, and new screenshots after the break.

(more…)

Chip Ganassi Racing, in association with both Target and Microsoft, have revealed the new Halo 3 paintjob that will adorn driver David Stremme’s #40 Dodge Avenger. The paint scheme, which will replace Stremme’s usual Coors Light sponsorship, will make it’s only appearance of the 2007 Nextel Cup season at Dover International Speedway on September 23rd, 2007.

In addition to having the sponsorship and rather sharp paint scheme, there will also be kiosks at DIS, allowing NASCAR fans the opporitunity to try our the final, complete version of Halo 3 two days before it’s official launch on the 25th.

Read the full press release, as well as get a closer look at the #40 Halo 3/Target Dodge Avenger, after the break.

(more…)

The Pre-TGS press conference was surprisingly informative, considering TGS isn’t too far away. Amongst the cavalcade of new info were the announcements of nine new Xbox LIVE Arcade games, including one that WAS going to be on our “Games We Want on Xbox LIVE” weekly feature - Ikaruga. In addition to Ikaruga, eight other games were announced to be coming to the XBLA in the coming months. They were:

Every Extend Extra Extreme

Exit

OMEGA FIVE

Rez

Triggerheart Exelica

Braid

Castlecrashers

Schizoid

You can read more detailed descriptions of each game after the break.

(more…)

Wow, Microsoft is kicking ass at a recent briefing in Japan during the Tokoyo Game Show. Some pretty big news, not only is Team Ninja developing Ninja Gaiden 2 exclusively for the 360 it is also being published by Microsoft themselves. Awesome news. Keeps getting better. We also have the Ninja Gaiden official brand spanking new trailer:


Square-Enix jumps on stage to discuss with everyone two new titles, “Infinite Undiscovery” and “The Last Remnant” (Though we have covered Last Remnant on the Rally before)

As JW just pointed out that Lost Odyssey is 95% done .. it also has a release date of February 2008! Not too far away, not like there isn’t enough games in the mean time to play. I have been waiting on Lost Odyssey for so long I had to make sure this news hits you from two posts!

A lot more random, not as important, but still read worthy information on just about all the games coming out for basically the holiday season, has been put out in a press release, to read, just click below:

(more…)

Microsoft is giving their pre-TGS press conference right now, and so far, not too much. One very interesting thing that DID come out of the press conference, however, was from Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy and the upcoming Lost Odyssey. Now, I know what you’re saying. “But JW, it’s a pre-TGS press conference. They’re not going to give us any information before TGS! What could be so interesting?”

Lost Odyssey is 95% done.

…that got your attention? I thought it might.

It’s so close to being done, in fact, that the Japanese will be getting Lost Odyssey on December 6th. If you don’t live in Japan, however, you’ll only have to wait a couple of months more — Lost Odyssey is slated for a February, 2008 release.

On a side-note, if you want to be up to date with the goings on at the Pre-TGS Press Conference, visit the IGN liveblogging page.

[IGN]

Microsoft, Xbox 360, Lost Odyssey

It goes without saying that Sonic 2 for the SEGA Genesis was, without a doubt, one of the best 2D platforming games to ever be made. Ever. Period. With the release of the first Sonic the Hedgehog a little ways back (along with our corresponding contest), it was all but certain that we would eventually see Sonic 2 make it’s way to the Xbox LIVE Arcade.

This Wednesday, according to Microsoft, seems to be that day. Promising to stay true to the original while taking full advantage of HD Graphics and enhanced sound, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will be made available for download on XBLA this Wednesday, September 12th, for a measly 400 MS Points.

If you don’t buy this, you hate video games, democracy, and babies.

[Xbox.com]

Microsoft, Xbox 360, SEGA, Xbox LIVE Arcade, Sonic the Hedgehog 2

As if the constant rumors of Metal Gear Solid 4 coming to the Xbox 360 weren’t enough, here’s a bit of news that will surely get the fanboys in a fit: Final Fantasy XIII is being developed on a cross-platform engine. Go ahead, get giddy. I’ve give you a minute…

…

…you ok now? Good. This bit of information was revealed by Square Enix’s Hiromichi Tanaka during his GDC keynote address, down in Austin, TX.

Development is proceeding smoothly now, with the framework now beginning to take shape. Last year we went through a development reorganization, with the development of our own cross-platform middleware – the white engine. This is the foundation for FFXIII and the new MMO.

Now it should be noted that this by no means means that Final Fantasy XIII will be coming to the Xbox 360. BUT, it does leave the door wide open for future Square Enix titles developed on the “White Engine” to come to the 360 in the future.

[Gamasutra]

Microsoft, Xbox 360, Square Enix, Final Fantasy XIII

As I’m sure you know by now, the Level cap for Call of Duty 4 has been bumped up to 16. I haven’t yet been able to get on to the CoD4 Beta, on account of my Xbox 360 STILL not being back yet, but I digress.

What you may not know is this, but once you hit level twelve it appears that Clan support is unlocked. Is this awesome? Yes, yes it is.

Microsoft, Xbox 360, Infinity Ward, Call of Duty 4 BETA

Phil Wilson recently spoke on the real negative side that went into the productin of Crackdown, but was thankfully helped by the mighty Microsoft. Even talking about the Halo 3 Beta key that was included, he said, “It’s a shame we needed it, but we did. It was a great boost.” Though there are elements still they want to put in Crackdown such as making it easier for people to record and share those crazy videos they make of them doing random crap (if you are a Crackdown fan, you know exactly what Im talking about). The biggest news about Crackdown was, a confirmation of NO SEQUEL! At the fault may be Microsoft themselves, as he said, “Microsoft were a little late in stepping up to the plate to ask for Crackdown 2, and by then we had already started working on bigger, better things.”

Bigger and better things now include a MMO called APB (All Points Bulletin). Cops, robbers, and multiplayer. On top of this, there is an undisclosed project coming in 2008. Awesome work to developmag for being able to grab some pretty significant information.