ZEN balances the Force with trio of new Star Wars Pinball tables.

Zen Studios has added another trio of tables to it’s already large list of beautiful and addicting pinball tables, that go by a number of names depending on your platform of choice. Whether you have heard it referred to Star Wars Pinball, Zen Pinball 2, or Pinball FX2, one thing rings true for all three games and that is an amazing looking pinball game with realistic physics, 3D support, and a long list of available tables. In this release, the tables being provided are Darth Vader, Starfighter Assault, and Episode IV: Return of the Jedi, all of which contain the famous moments from the legendary series. Now that I have topped my friends’ leaderboards, it is time to pull myself away from the sci-fi arcade goodness.

Ever since the release of the Street Fighter 2 table on the original Pinball FX game, I was hooked as I have always loved playing Pinball in the arcades and have tried the numerous attempts to bring the nostalgic gameplay affordably into the home, unfortunately few come close to succeeding. Zen Studios is one of the few, and with the Balance of the Force tables to add to the Star Wars Pinball collection, they have once again outdone themselves. All three of them look amazing, each with a completely different look and layout, playing just as smoothly as they look. Of the new tables, I preferred the Darth Vader table as it had fun missions and was what I felt was the easiest of the three to rack up millions. My only disappointment was with the online community, as it is hard enough to find an online match when I own most of the offered tables, I have yet to find anyone online playing Star Wars Pinball when I was playing. When playing in 3D, I noticed there was a delay recognizing when using the flippers which lead to a number of lost balls and quickly abandoning the multidimensional romp.

Zen Studios does it again and provides a fun and addicting experience with the Balance of the Force tables and hope that this is just the beginning of a long list of Star Wars themed tables like we have seen with the Marvel tables. Zen Studios’ pinball games are available on just about all gaming and mobile platforms and once again I had requested my review be performed on the PlayStation Network as is it playable on both the Vita and PS3 from a single purchase. My issue with the online multiplayer has been with all tables, not just the tables in the newest release, if there were additional network options to identify how many players online and which tables are being played, it may help with endless wait times trying to find an opponent. Star Wars Pinball: Balance of the Force is available on just about all consoles and mobile devices with exception to the iOS at the time of this review.

Seriously Sony...WTF?!?

Okay, I'm not one to piss and moan about industry news...who am I kidding, I am a critic, its what I do, but I am sure I am not the only one torn on who is to blame in this past week of not being able to play two of the biggest games that I deliberately went out and purchased for the PS3 over the Xbox 360. Those titles being Mortal Kombat and Portal 2, both amazing single player experiences and offering great exclusives for the console that doesn't get much attention from me, but I am torn as to my next plan of action after the latest news regarding Sony's handling of the fubar'd security.

Those living under a rock, here is the short explanation, Sony's PlayStation Network has been hacked, been down for a week now, allegedly lost their user's personal information including credit card information, and to top it all off, I can't link Portal 2 to Steam to play coop in the interim on PC, and now that I am tiring from single player of Mortal Kombat, I can't get online to play that either. Here is my dilemma, are user's really entitled to anything being that non-plus users do not pay to play online. After spending 120 dollars of my hard earned money, I cannot play them online, and my main intention of getting these on the PS3 over the 360 was due to their exclusive contact to the console. I am sure that I am not the only one feeling the pain, but I am torn as to whether I trade them in, wait it out, set my PS3 in flames, wish bad things on Sony...too late.

Coming from a customer service background, these things happen, it's sad but true. My issue is with the way Sony has gone about handling the PR nightmare, they haven't. First we are told that it is an update, then external intrusion, and now personal information is gone, to top it all off, there is no end in sight. Come on Sony, you have millions of fans and whether you lose them or not, step it up because not only are the gamers get royally screwed but how about those game developers like Warner Bros and Valve, who went to the effort of giving your consoles exclusive content only to have their fan base in a fit of rage.

Alice: Madness Returns comes with original PC game!

In a generous offering today, EA announced with the impending June 14th release date of Alice: Madness Returns, that buyers will be treated to a one-time-use code allowing the download of the original American McGee's Alice for play on either the Xbox 360 or the PlayStation Network.

This is huge, as this marks the first time American McGee's twisted third-person platformer will be on a console, and given how long ago it came out, really does make sense for those who never got a chance to play it the first time.  I still have the PC title, that I can't even play on my Mac anymore.  Ah, past choices, they're always getting in the way of your future opportunities!

One can also purchase the stand-alone downloadable port for 800 Microsoft Points, or $9.99 on the PSN, if one was so inclined.

Check out some screens from the oldie (but goodie) title below, and for even more in-depth details on the sequel, you can also check out AliceMadnessReturns.com

Atari's next Ghostbusters to be downloadable in 2011

Atari has provided our office with screens of Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime, their downloadable title to be released on XBLA, PSN, and Windows PC this Spring. This top down action game will still have a number of weapons along with massive supernatural foes. Take a look and keep an eye out for more as we get closer to release and be sure to stock up on MS for the soon to be available XBLA titles to be released in the next month.

Blade Kitten available now for download

I know I am a day late to the party but better late than never, amIright? Blade Kitten is available now on PSN, XBLA, and PC which features a cute but not so cuddle protagonist, Kit Ballard and her sidekick Skiffy on her quest to track down the scum of Hollow Wish.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light | Review

Rounding out the 5-week Summer of Arcade is Eidos and Crystal Dynamics attempt at re-inventing Lara Croft; this time by shifting the perspective, dramatically changing the control scheme and placing a little less focus on exploration and more on combat. But this time, you're not alone...

Click past the break for our full review

First trailer of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is an adventure

Lara Croft is back, in an adventure you actually may want to play.  Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is a download-only title (available this summer on Xbox Live, PSN and Steam) that's different than any other Tomb Raider you've ever seen.

Presented in an isometric view (think Diablo, or most recently Torchlight), and you have an idea of the style here that Eidos  and Crystal Dynamics are going for.  Little is known of the game so far, except this time Lara will not be alone, and there's some co-op flavor built in here. Eidos has just released the first official trailer; and we've embedded it below.

Check it out, and let us know what you think.  This seems like a title I could get behind.

Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West| Review

Synopsis: While waiting for an unnamed western soon to be released, we received a review code for the PSN and PC online third person shooter, Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West. This title places players in the Wild West to relive the myths we all grew up on when playing with our toys guns and watching spaghetti westerns with our parents. Focusing on team based action, some of the available gameplay modes include conquest, which has your team trying to take over specific areas in order, greed, which has the players trying to carry as much gold sacks to a drop off zone in a set time limit, and my favorite, powder keg, which has each team trying to blow up a set objective by moving an explosive powder keg to a set destination, but you can easily take out your opponent if they are carrying the keg and you happen to shoot it. If you’re a team shooter fan, the below is for you.

Praise: For a downloadable title that is strictly online multiplayer with exception to the practice play, there is a lot to like about Lead and Gold, starting with the simplicity. The developer does a good job at making this feel like a western, from the great maps that look like how I would picture the west and classes that use the character classes we have grown to love in other titles in the genre while still feeling like they fit in with this game. A class specific synergy system is a feature new to me from other team multiplayer games I have played and works well, as synergy is a unique ability that is effective only when teammates play cooperatively and tactically. There are four available character classes which consist of short range, mid range, long range and explosive weapons, the deputy being my favorite as he uses a mid range weapon, pistol as secondary, and can tag an enemy so that even if they run out of your line of site, you will still be able to locate them. I have always been able to locate matches without experiencing lag, not even once so far, and once I would start playing a good two or three hours would go by before even thinking about turning it off.

Gripes: This is a multiplayer game, so if you are looking for a single player story to play along with the multiplayer matches or to just get used to the gameplay of Lead and Gold, good luck as it is strictly multiplayer with a small practice mode. As well as the lack of single player, it seems the developer also left out a tutorial, sure you can pull up options for instructions and controls, but in regards to experience points and character development, there is not much to help the player get their bearings as to what to expect while playing through the multiple game modes outside of what is seen in the load screens. While I have not had a problem with finding matches or lag, I have yet to play a match where all of the player slots are full. I think the most I have seen in a match was six people and the maps are pretty large, making it difficult to locate the one or two opponents you are playing against. There is also no cover system which I have not had an issue with in previous games, but it would definitely be a welcome feature in this game as you are unable to duck before popping up and releasing a bullet storm on an unsuspecting passerby.

Overall, Lead and Gold is a fun game and for the price and the replay value, it is well worth the fifteen dollar price tag. While there are a few things that take away from the fun to be had, there is just enough, if not more content to help you get past any issues you have with the mechanics. One thing I am worried about with this game releasing so close to Red Dead Redemption, it is hard to tell exactly how many people will still be playing this after it hits store shelves. I am hoping that since this is not a sixty dollar title, there will still be a large number of Lead and Gold owners standing behind this title.

Mashbuttons.com gives Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West a 8 out of 10.

Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West is available now on PC and the PlayStation 3.

Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 | Screenshots

Following up on the announcement of the sequel to Bionic Commando today, we wanted to bring you a slew of new screenshots to peruse.  You can check out the teaser trailer here, screenshots below.

Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 gets best feature upgrade ever! | Game Announcement

Oh Bionic Commando, you have such a repertoire of skills and talents.  You have a robotic, "go-go-gadget" arm, you can employ advanced weaponry and gadgets, and now, finally, you can jump!  I'm sure glad those legs you have finally work for more than just running.

Hot off the heels of Capcom's "CAPTIVATE 2010" Showcase comes the first news on a sequel to the XBLA/PSN re-make of Bionic Commando: Rearmed, fittingly named, Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2.  You return as Nathan Spencer, and with your newly found legs, and your trusty bionic arm, you'll face new foes, in new environments with new flair!

Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2 will be available Q1 2011 for both XBLA and the PSN.  Stay tuned for more updates as they release.  Check out the launch trailer below.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is Project Needlemouse | Game Announcements

Project Needlemouse is Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

We've all been waiting to get the official scoop from SEGA on what their mysterious "Project Needlemouse" was related to.  Well today, my friends, we have the news...a wholly new 2-D Sonic game, steeped with nostalgia, but upgraded in glorious HD graphics and with a new wide-screen presentation.  I'm guessing you'll hope you have a 240hz tv otherwise, you'll just be seeing a big blue blur as your set tries to keep up.

Of course I kid, I kid...but are you as excited about this as I am??? 

A sequel to 1994's Sonic and Knuckles; the new Sonic will be available on all three current platform's download service (Xbox Live Arcade, PSN, and WiiWare).  Due out this summer - I can't wait.

We'll bring you more information as we get it, you can always check out the official site here, and the first teaser video below, courtesy of Gamespot

***update*** Having video difficulties - will re upload it when corrected.

Zombie Apocalypse | Review

Synopsis: Zombie Apocalypse is a new downloadable game from Konami, for the Playstation Network and Xbox Live Arcade, in which you play as one of four survivors with a large arsenal to survive 55 days of battles saving as many remaining survivors as you can. Up to four players can team up for mass zombie genocide using 11 available weapons and your trusty chainsaw when you really want to get your point across. This title is a top down arcade shooter adding some new features, such as seven 3D environments with hazards to help wipe out the opposition, fifty five days (missions) to play through, online coop with up to four other players locally or online, and five additional challenging game modes to keep things fresh and the player from thinking this concept has been done before.

Praise: The gameplay and style of this title are nothing new, in fact, some may say there have been too many zombie games released recently, however, the formula works very well for Zombie Apocalypse. The controls of the game are easy to learn as it uses the two stick scheme, where the left stick controls the character and the right stick aims where you shoot, trigger buttons use the chainsaw, and left and right buttons use your special attack (teddy bear bomb). The HD graphics are very crisp and very necessary, mainly when you get to the point where the number of zombies can take up most of the visual environment and the lighting does add a healthy amount of creepiness to the game. The online coop is where this game makes the player feel like they are in the arcade, as playing with four players can be a team effort or fending for yourself trying to get the highest score of the group.

Gripes: While a large number of levels are usually a good thing, especially with XBLA titles to help the customer feel like they are getting a lot for what they pay for, it can also be one of the main reasons that people lose interest. Since there are only 7 environments and 55 levels, you will not see much in the way of variety in the level, with the exception of the weapons received and enemies you encounter. There are additional game modes to go back and play through with, but grinding through the initial 55 levels seems like a chore after a while, especially if you don’t have multiple controllers or Xbox live to play coop.

Overall, this game is fun and is a welcome addition to my zombie game library. I will not directly compare this game to a recent four player coop survivor horror FPS or a classic top down violent game show arcade game, but it does feel like the two games with those elements bred and this is their love child. Even with the multitude of days (levels) to play through, the game is satisfying, more so on coop, and can get extremely hectic, leaving you clenching the life out of your controller.

Mashbuttons.com gives Zombie Apocalypse a 9 out of 10.

Zombie Apocalypse is available now for the Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network.

Red Faction DLC now available | Demons of the Badlands

Hello dear readers,

We hope this letter finds it's way, amidst the bevy of internet words and tubes, to meet your eyes. We want to inform you, formally, that the first downloadable content for Red Faction: Guerrilla is now available on both Xbox Live Marketplace as well as the Playstation Network. (THQ also announced plans to release two additional content packs later this year).

The price of the above mentioned DLC, is 800 Microsoft points/$9.99 respectively.

Demons of the Badlands is a single-player prequel that's set in an entirely new area of Mars, featuring new weapons, vehicles, and missions. Of course there are always new achievements and trophies to be had as well.

Check out a few of the screenshots for the DLC - and let us know in the comments what you think.

Love,

Mashbuttons

Marvel vs Capcom 2 | PSN Thursday

Anyone out there want to play Marvel vs Capcom 2 on a controller with a 'real' d-pad??? Yes, today's PSN release is Marvel vs Capcom 2, a downloadable title that's been out on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 2 weeks now.

Capcom has teamed up with GameStop throughout the US for an exclusive (and actually limited) retail release for $14.99. Same price as the PSN counterpart, but it does come in a fancy box to place on your shelf, as well as a one-month subscription for the Marvel Digital Comics service. Cool bonus for sure. Mind you, there is no actual disc in the box, just a redeemable voucher to download from the PSN.

One other point of mention, the first 15,000 purchasers of the full game off the PSN, will also receive a code for a free month subscription to Marvel Digital Comics.

So a great game, great graphics, lag-free online play, and a few extra bonuses available. You can check out our Xbox Live review here, as they play the same.

Marvel vs Capcom 2 | Review

Synopsis: The highly anticipated three on three tag team fighting classic from Capcom is now here, after much waiting and requests to Capcom. You now have 56 fighters at your disposal when playing by yourself or online, from Marvel’s heroes and villains to Capcom’s Street Fighters, Darkstalkers, and more. The ability to play online in ranked and player matches is a new feature to the title, along with widescreen support, HD graphics, and leaderboards.



Praise: The best thing about this title is that nothing has changed in regards to gameplay, it is just as fluid as its Dreamcast predecessor. There is also a visual filter setting so that your characters look authentic to your favorite form, whether it be the Dreamcast, Playstation 2/Xbox, or HD style. Online is by far the best part of this remake, as you can battle in player matches to hone your skills and if you’re feeling overly confident with your team, you can fight in ranked matches and work your way up the new and extremely welcome leaderboards. From my experience with the online play, there was little to no lag in most ranked and player matches.



Gripes: All of the characters are unlocked upon purchasing and downloading. Some may actually like Capcom’s choice to do so, but having to go back and play for hours and hours to unlock characters and costumes is what had me keep going back to the Dreamcast game for years. As epic as “Take you for a ride” is, after hearing it about 10 times in a half hour session does grow old quickly and sticks your head for days on end.



Overall, Marvel vs Capcom 2 is a welcome addition to the Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network library. Some may say it took way too long to happen, but even if fans had to wait an additional year or two, it would still have the same excitement and success. Along with fans being given exactly what they have been asking repeatedly for, they are also being given a free hip hop mixtape with songs inspired by the game. The mixtape is yet to have a release date, but Raekwon the Chef and Talib Kweli among others will be gracing it with their presence.

Mashbuttons.com gives Marvel vs Capcom 2 an 8 out of 10.

Marvel vs Capcom 2 is available now for the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3 version of the title will be available on August 13th, both priced at fifteen dollars.

Let Batman "demo" how he can kick your ass | Batman Demo

Let it be, that right now, you can download the Batman Arkham Asylum demo for the Xbox 360 or PS3 off of each of their respective downloading network thingies. (official names be damned!)

We'll have some thoughts and impressions this weekend, let us know what YOU think in the comments below.

Marvel Vs Capcom 2 Takes us for a ride

Confirmation! Not like we were not expecting it with all the hints from Capcom in previous interviews and the obvious tu4ar.com site. However i was glued to the countdown page until time was up just to confirm the expected.

Capcom has redeemed itself in my eyes, and given comic fans and fighter fans alike something to rave about, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 for
the PSN and XBLA.Some details provided to their fans is that there will not be a full HD remix, but will have graphical filters, and for those feeling nostalgic...the filters are optional.



The release is slated for Summer 2009, but those few PS3 gamers should be getting a demo of this crossover fighter this week, most likely Thursday,bastards! Also, all 56 character are expected to be unlocked from the beginning, not so sure how I feel about that decision.

Flock! XBLA | Review (Updated with Game Deal)

***Update: As of this writing, you can get Flock [Online Game Code] on Amazon for only $10, a $5 savings over the 1200 microsoft point equivalent on the marketplace.***

Flock! is a game I approached with great trepidation. At first, the very though of herding sheep, cows and other barnyard animals with a UFO, had me giddy with glee. When the game finally did come out, I never got around to picking it up, just had the demo. Playing through that first, I initially wanted to review the game based purely off a demo. Well that's a gaming review 'no-no', so I quickly decided if the game's going to be judged, it has to be judged on it's full merits.

It was shortly after that my team came through with a review code of Flock! I had to shake the initial feeling the demo left with me, not that it was a bad game in any way, I just sorta rushed through the demo due to lack of time. Now I've finally sat down with the final game, and I have been quite pleasantly surprised even more than I thought I could be. It's not perfect, in fact far from it, but the cartoony, patchwork graphics, the light-hearted feel, the unique gameplay and the fact that it's loaded with over 50 levels to begin with, and a robust level-editor that you earn "pieces" along the way to build your own levels, puts this XBLA (and for full disclosure, PSN and PC) release as a shiny gem amongst other shiny gems.

As previously mentioned, as you progress from level to level, trying to rank in the Gold, Silver or Bronze metal bonuses, you earn more tools and assets in which you can use with the level editor. This way of earning what you can use is most recently reminiscent of Little Big Planet, where you can go through each level, gathering stickers, parts, etc to build your own levels. Like LBP as well, you can share your custom created landscapes with others! It's fostering a community that will keep your game being played for months and hopefully years to come!

Though the game is simplistic in nature, it suffers a bit in the control department. Not necessarily a fault of the game, but the learning curve is a bit higher than one would expect, as you learn the different behaviors of the sheep, bulls, and chickens. It can be a frustrating experience when you think you have them heading in the right direction and the next thing you know, they're caught up on something or you've inadvertantly pushed them in the wrong direction. But you SWEAR you were behind them. It's this occasional frustration that will likely have your throwing your controller at the wall. I wonder, how would this game hold up on the Wii? Dare I say the control of the Wii-mote might lend itself to more precise UFO grazing? Ah, but then I'd have to get a Wii to play.

Check out the Official game trailer!




Bottom Line (7 out of 10). A quirky game, filled with unique puzzles and patch-work environments, all wrapped up with a full level-editor gives this new title something for most. That being said, you'll probably decide whether you like it based purely off the demo, and I urge you to not let that be your deciding factor, as the play-curve is much more natural with the full game.

Motherflocker! Herd your sheep with Flock!

Coming to the XBLA next week (fairly sure), is Flock! from Capcom. The downloadable title, which will also be available on the PSN, and PC, will debut the latest "UFO gameplay", a term in which I've dubbed Flock!'s game style.

Best suited to be put in the puzzle/platformer genre, you pilot a UFO, who's main goal is to herd various farm animals to the mothership, through an assortment of 'puzzle-filled interactive levels, including corn fields, pastures and other “plushie”-like environments'.

[From the Press Release:]
In order to succeed, players will have to manage the quirkiness of the animal’s distinct behaviors, as well as solve a series of environmental puzzles using Flock’s! physics-based gameplay. The animals that populate these islands – sheep, chickens, pigs, cows and more – respond to the UFO in all kinds of eccentric ways based on their nature. By finding or creating a passable route across a level, players can herd the animals safely toward their ship. Solving the puzzles within the suggested time limit yields exciting rewards, but players can also take their time in order to find more hidden bonuses. With a unique theme, clever humor and easy pick-up-and-play controls, Flock! promises to be an instant hit with gamers of all ages!


As of now, the price is not locked in, at least for us to know. Given the amount of gameply, I'd expect something in the 1200/1600 points level ($15-$20 for those of you not using space money).

Here's a video to whet your appetite, we're hoping to have the Qore video up later today, so be sure to come back and check out the behind the scenes on the game.