Confirming the long-running rumors, publishers Warner Bros. and MTV Games today announced that LEGO Rock Band will hit PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and DS in "holiday 2009."

LEGO Star Wars developer TT Games is handling the three consoles versions "in partnership" with Rock Band series creator Harmonix, while the Nintendo DS release "will be co-developed by TT Games and Harmonix in partnership with [Rock Band Unplugged PSP developer] Backbone Entertainment." A few tracks were revealed:

• Blur - "Song 2"
• Carl Douglas - "Kung Fu Fighting"
• Europe - "The Final Countdown"
• Good Charlotte - "Boys and Girls"
• Pink - "So What"

"LEGO Rock Band combines the multiplayer music experience of Rock Band with the fun, customization and humor of the LEGO videogame franchise packed... Read more

Following up on the surprise revelation that Harmonix's multi-instrument music series Rock Band is somehow heading to the PSP, Primotech claims to have the details. And no, it won't come with an add-on a la Guitar Hero DS.

The site says it's learned that the off-shoot, dubbed Rock Band Unplugged, is currently in development at Backbone Entertainment, and will feature tracks from Blink 182, Boston, AFI, Kansas, Lit, and The Police, plus DLC support, when it arrives this fall.

The gameplay resembles Harmonix's PlayStation 2 games Amplitude and Frequency, with players tapping face buttons in time with an on-screen track. Once players have completed a "phrase" on an instrument, that track will apparently play itself for a bit, allowing gamers to switch to the other instruments and build up their score multiplier.

Update: The Ampltiude and Frequency-esque stylings of Rock Band Unplugged have seemingly been confirmed by Harmonix designer Dan Teasdale, whose Twitter declares that "phrase-based lane-switching beatmatch lives again!"

A compilation packing more than 40 Sega Genesis, Master System and 80s-era arcade games will appear on PS3 and Xbox 360 early next year, Sega announced today.

Dubbed Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection in Europe, and Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for North America, the Backbone Entertainment-developed compilation will be able to upscale the old-school games to 720p. According to Sega, this brings "a new visual richness to these classic titles."

A complete list of the included titles was not provided, though the company noted the inclusion of Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2 and 3, Columns, Alien Storm, Ecco the Dolphin, Space Harrier, and Streets of Rage 1, 2 and 3.

In addition, Sega stressed that "the games in the collection have been reproduced with the utmost detail and accuracy to commend their originals."

Update: Sega's site for the pack reveals some more of the included games:

1. Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
2. Alien Storm
3. Altered Beast... Read more

Publisher Eidos has announced that a reimagining of Midway's classic cooperative arcade title Gauntlet is headed to the Nintendo DS this fall, courtesy of developer Backbone Entertainment.

Supporting online play and voice chat for up to four players, the game features four different character classes: Elf, Warrior, Wizard and Valkyrie. Multiplayer modes include deathmatch, team deathmactch, and treasure hoarde game types.

"With Gauntlet we've revitalised all of the action and fun of the original 1980s arcade classic, whilst updating the visuals and gameplay for today's DS gamer," said Eidos brand manager Ray Livingston. "With four-player Wi-Fi cooperative mode, one of the most memorable multiplayer gaming experiences of all time is back with a bang."

Citing a reduction in faithful arcade ports on the platform, Microsoft has rejected two ports of two old-school arcade-style vertical shooters as candidates for release on the Xbox 360's online Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox 360 Fanboy reports.

Speaking with Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, Masaki Sakari of porting studio 5pb noted that the rejection of those titles—ports of Cave's Dodonpachi Daioujou Black Label X and Ketsui X—prompted a move to a more traditional retail release.

"They rejected all of our proposals saying, 'We are going to cut down faithful arcade ports,'" said Sakari. "We felt so frustrated. We wanted to show them that their decision was wrong. So we switched our two most promising projects into retail."

Despite the recent release of Warashi's Triggerheart Exelica and the upcoming edition of Treasure's Ikaruga on XBLA--both arcade shooters--the shift most likely represents Microsoft's desire to move away from the recent flood of straight ports that have hit the platform, many of which were developed by Backbone Entertainment for a number of different publishers.

That said, recent releases show that Microsoft clearly has no qualms approving reimagined or enhanced versions of existing franchises, such as Mr. Driller Online and Bionic Commando Rearmed, for an Xbox Live Arcade release.

Microsoft has announced that the already-released downloadable Xbox 360 editions of Doom and Assault Heroes will join the Xbox Live Arcade Hits program this Wednesday. At that time, the price of both titles will be permanently reduced from 800 Microsoft Points ($10) to 400 Microsoft Points ($5).

The expansion of the Xbox Live Arcade Hits program, which highlights best-selling and fan favorite Xbox Live Arcade games, will occur in place of the usual Wednesday release of a new Xbox Live Arcade title. Microsoft has commented that it plans to update the Arcade Hits lineup on a quarterly basis.

The company also released a list and media of Xbox Live Arcade titles slated to arrive "in the near future." The list and screenshots follow: ... Read more

Capcom has unleashed a brand new set of screenshots for Backbone Entertainment's long-awaited downloadable effort Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (PS3, X360).

Showcasing newly redrawn stages and concept art, the media reflects the revamped art style that was recently unveiled by Capcom.

Access to an eight-week beta of the game will be granted to Xbox Live Gold subscribers who purchase the Xbox Live Arcade edition of Capcom's upcoming Commandos 3, which hits this spring. HD Remix is due on both the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Store this fall.

Speaking to Game|Life, Capcom expanded on comments that the game's file size would not be a problem on Xbox Live Arcade. Microsoft has granted special clearance to exceed the typical 150MB XBLA file size limit with HD Remix and Bionic Commando: Rearmed, quelling concerns that size limitations would hamper the Xbox 360 editions.

As part of Capcom's deluge of media and announcements today, the company announced 1942: Joint Strike (PS3, X360), a reimagining of the 194X series of vertical arcade shooters of the 80's.

Taking place within an alternate world war scenario, 1942: Joint Strike will feature classic 2D gameplay within fully 3D graphics updated by developer Backbone Entertainment. The title also boasts new attacks, weapons, and power-ups, in addition to 2-player play locally or online.

Capcom also announced that 1942: Joint Strike is scored by Norihiko Hibino, whose previous composer credits include the Metal Gear Solid (PC, Xbox, PS2) series as well as Zone of the Enders (PS2).

Due for release this summer, 1942: Joint Strike will be available on both the Xbox Live Marketplace and the PlayStation Store for 800 Microsoft Points or $9.99, respectively.

First revealed by the French gaming press with little fanfare and equally little official comment, Backbone Entertainment's Wii and DS action RPG Monster Lab was today formally announced by publisher Eidos alongside Wii and Nintendo DS screenshots.

Monster Lab sees the player take control of a scientist's apprentice, tasked with creating Frankenstein's monster-like creatures from individual body parts; according to Eidos, some 100 million body part combinations are possible. Online play, a relative rarity among third party Wii games, is supported, allowing players to battle and trade parts.

The game is set in a land called the Uncanny Valley--with its color-saturated visual look, this is likely a tongue-in-cheek comment on that phrase as it applies to gaming.

Monster Lab is set for release on Wii and DS later this year. A trailer can be seen below.

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Shrek-N-Roll and Screwjumper mark this week's Xbox Live Arcade releases, bringing the service's total library to 100 games. Each arrives in the online marketplace on Wednesday, November 14, selling for 800 Microsoft Points ($10) a piece.

As previously reported, Frozen Codebase's Screwjumper involves freefalling through mines, blowing them to smithereens, and escaping before the explosion consumes the whole structure. For more on the game, check out our extensive interview with producer Ben Geisler and design director Norb Rozek.

Created by prolific XBLA developer Backbone Entertainment, Shrek-N-Roll... Read more

Xbox Live Arcade gains Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords this Wednesday, signifying the service's second week of puzzling goodness in a row.

Developed by Infinite Interactive, Puzzle Quest took the gaming community by storm when it released on Nintendo DS and PSP in the spring. The addictive combination of color-matching combat and RPG-style quests surprised many, its success spurring both XBLA and Wii iterations. Puzzle Quest will run 1200 Microsoft Points ($15).

This week also brings with it Yaris, a free offering from Toyota and Backbone Entertainment, themed after the car manufacturer's Yaris line. Though the game will involve both racing and destruction, complete with Xbox Live multiplayer, there's no word if the game will allow players to double park their sleek vehicles in the tradition of Shacknews editor-in-chief Chris Remo.

Sega's sidekick-enhanced Sonic sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will be available for download on Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday. The title will cost 400 Microsoft Points ($5), three dollars cheaper than the title's 800 Wii Point ($8) price on Nintendo's Virtual Console.

And rather than being a straight port like the pricier Wii version, Backbone Entertainment has enhanced the 1992 Genesis title with HD visuals and two-player online play. This new version lets a second player join in the fun over Xbox Live as Sonic's twin-tailed tagalong, running through pseudo-3D half-pipes with Sonic or getting constantly left behind in-game by Sonic's amazing speed.

The title is the only new game addition this week on Xbox Live Arcade.

Backbone Entertainment, the guys who brought you Death Jr. (PSP), are developing a new story-driven Wii title described by producer Dan Sochan as "Pokemon meets Tim Burton," according to French gaming site Puissance. Sobbing antiheroes: collect 'em all?

Monster Lab will allow you to build, customize, and pit monsters against eachother in the ring of combat. Slapping both biological and mechanical body parts together to form a Frankensteinian creature, you can then outfit the character with some 300 items.

The Wii Remote will be used in the creation process to compete in a series of minigames, where you'll be tossing brains into empty heads, and either increasing or decreasing the power of your monster based on your success or failure. Combat plays out in a turn-based mode, with hit points, special attacks, and all the standard trappings.

Publisher Eidos is aiming Monster Lab for a summer 2008 release.

Backbone Entertainment's HD and online-enhanced port of Capcom's beloved competitive puzzler Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo arrives on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 next week via each platform's online distribution service. Carrying the price point of 800 Microsoft Points ($10), it hits Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday, August 29. The $10 PlayStation 3 version drops in ... Read more

Konami's 1983 athletics showcase Track and Field comes to Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday, reminding us of a more wholesome time before stories of blood-doping and performance-enhancing drugs tainted the images of our most-loved sports heroes. Aspiring athletes can get regain their impressive thumb strength for 400 Microsoft Points ($5).

Brought to the console by Digital Eclipse, the game features an original and enhanced graphics mode and both four-player offline and online player over Xbox Live. A version of Track and Field arrived on DS earlier this year as part of the Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits compilation.

Microsoft also announced several upcoming titles for August and... Read more

With Xbox 360 titles like Lost Planet: Extreme Condition and Dead Rising racking up big sales in the West, Capcom's statement to shareholders was simple: go where the money is. Corporate officer Kazuhiko Abe outlined the company's performance for shareholders today, saying that of the 1+ million copies sold of the two Western-focused titles, 90% were unloaded outside of Japan.

"It is important for Capcom to turn its efforts to increase its share in the overseas market where much of the growth in the home video game and mobile content markets are taking place," said Capcom CEO Kenzo Tsujimoto, according to Next Generation.

With a half-dozen Wii titles on the way, in addition to 14 planned Nintendo DS games and the anticipated Devil May Cry 4 (PS3, X360, PC), Capcom is in no hurry for a merger. Tsujimoto noted that the company is more... Read more

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Today's briefs include more rivals for Sonic on PSP, the world of bull riding coming to video games, a newly-announced Stranglehold collector's edition, and imminent Guitar Hero II downloadable content.... Read more

Production company Legendary Pictures will be handling development of an upcoming film based on Blizzard's Diablo series of action RPGs. Indication of the studio's involvement came with the listing of Diablo in the "Coming Soon" section of the official Legendary Pictures site.

The news partially confirms a story last month by the Hollywood Reporter, which noted in passing Legendary's connection to the Diablo film and stated that the screenplay will be scribed by Gary Whitta, whom longtime gamers may remember as the first editor of PC Gamer. Whitta also wrote... Read more

Japanese developer and publisher Capcom has announced it will begin selling its titles through Valve's PC digital distribution platform Steam. Today's announcement marks the latest of Capcom's efforts to support the PC, which include upcoming ports of the former Xbox 360 exclusive Lost Planet: Extreme Condition as well as Devil May Cry 4. The company's embrace of Steam marks the first time a Japanese publisher has embraced the digital distribution service.

Capcom's Steam offerings will begin later this week with the release of Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition, which originally appeared on PlayStation 2 and was only recently released on the PC. A PC version of ... Read more

At its Gamer's Day event in San Francisco last night, Capcom stated its intention to create a strong presence in the online downloadable game marketing. The company hopes to build on the success it has seen with the Xbox Live Arcade version of Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting, which Capcom senior planning and strategy director Christian Svensson noted has been "overwhelmingly successful" and has generated more revenue than any other Xbox Live Arcade title. Capcom announced four upcoming games to be published on both Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, with two of the four heading to PC as well.

Games Workshop's classic roleplaying board game Talisman is in the works for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC. It is being developed by Big Rooster with the input of Games Workshop's Black Industries subsidiary. It will support up to four players both online and offline. First launched in 1983, the board game version of Talisman has seen three editions, with a fourth due for release by Black Industries around October 2007. Capcom plans to release its game this fall.

Fighting game fans will be pleased to know that Capcom is currently working on an updated version of Super Street Fighter II Turbo for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. Developed by Backbone Entertainment and dubbed Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, the game will output in up to 1080p resolution, with newly made sprites based on high resolution artwork from illustration studio Udon Entertainment. Capcom plans to surpass the level of sprite detail seen in franchises such as Guilty Gear, with HD Remix's sprites reaching a resolution of approximately 4.5 times the relative detail of Street Fighter II's original sprites. All sprites, animations, and backgrounds will be recreated. Capcom declined to go into detail on the game's specific online plans, but it will support two players through Xbox Live or PlayStation Network. Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is expected to release this fall.

As a companion piece to Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Backbone Entertainment is also developing an update to Capcom's competitive puzzle game Puzzle Fighter II in a similar style. Like its fighter counterpart, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix features 1080p graphics, online play, and new backgrounds and static art courtesy of Udon Comics. Players will have the option of competing in a new rebalanced mode that corrects some perceived inequalities between certain characters in the game. A spectator mode similar to Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting's Quarter Match mode will also be included. Capcom expects to release Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix this summer to Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC.

Finally, WizKids' card-based strategy game Rocketmen is being adapted into a top-down arcade shooter by developer A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Games. Rocketmen is modeled on the bullet-happy SmashTV template, though rendered in full 3D. The game's focus is on cooperative play, supporting up to four players online or offline. Capcom plans to release Rocketmen for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network this fall.