The ramp up to Capcom's Street Fighter IV continues with the upcoming release of the digital title Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix on PSN and Xbox LIVE. A remake/remix of Super Street Fighter II Turbo with better graphics, this 2D fighter has must-have written all over it as far as I'm concerned, especially if it comes in around the -8 range online. It should have the usual multiplayer, leaderboards, tournaments and trash talking that you've come to expect online. Hopefully it will also have a tutorial level because I've seen some super hard combo videos that would be awesome to take into competition. I believe that the game is slated to hit PSN on Nov. 25 and XBLA on Nov. 26. If so, Chun Li, Cammy and I are definitely going to be spending some serious time together this Thanksgiving weekend.

Check out the video below, as well as 'Round 1.' 

--Hobson's Choice

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Being a product of the US punk scene of the 80s and very early 90s, hearing that next week's Rock Band DLC will be something of a punk extravaganza, featuring song packs by the likes of The Dead Kennedys, Mission to Burma and others leaves me a little torn and sounding kind of like a grumpy old man.

On one hand, more power to three chord rockers from any genre, who are able to make a few bucks decades after the fact. If he/she happened to be part of the post-Ramones, pre-Nirvana and Green Day US punk scene, back in the day there was almost certainly never an inkling that there would ever be any money that came of it, just hopefully fun. All I can say is I hope that all parties involved with this DLC held on to the rights to their songs instead of signing them away to pay for some piddly debt to a crappy label. I'm pretty sure that the Dead Kennedy's have, although not necessarily happily. So, what's the other side of this?

We are talking f'ing punk rock here; slam dancing, stage-diving, Maximum Rock n' Roll listening, seven bands for a cover and screw you guys because tonight I got beer AND burrito money, punk rock. Yup, ridiculously self-righteous, and I was never even much of a DKs fan; in that era I always leaned more towards the bands of LA's SST label, and those that filled my local scene. So, will Rock Band players get any of punk rock's no rules/make it up as you go along/all punks don't have to sport a mohawk, ethics by way of osmosis? Probably not and certainly not if they take the time to customize their band to look like stereotypical punks. But in the end I guess that's okay, especially if it sparks any interest at all in seminal bands like Minutemen, Hüsker Dü, Minor Threat, Descendents, Black Flag, Meat Puppets and others that will always have a place in my memories of those un-comoditized times and on one of my playlists. Remember that grumpy old man reference earlier? There you have it.

Check out next week's DLC below (11/18 on LIVE/11/20 on PSN). No, really, I want you to.

Dead Kennedys 3 Pack - 440 Microsoft Points (.50)

• "California Uber Alles" - 160 Points ()
• "Holiday In Cambodia" - 160 Points ()
• "Police Truck" - 160 Points ()

Mission Of Burma 3 Pack - 440 Microsoft Points (.50)

• "Mica" - 160 Points ()
• "That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate" - 160 Points ()
• "That's When I Reach For My Revolver" - 160 Points ()

Century Media Girls of Metal 3 Pack - 440 Microsoft Points (.50)

• In This Moment - "Forever" - 160 Points ()
• Lacuna Coil - "Closer" - 160 Points ()
• Lacuna Coil - "Swamped" - 160 Points ()

Individual Tracks

• Crooked X - "Gone" - 80 Points ()

--Hobson's Choice

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Do you remember the pre Jolie years of the Tomb Raider franchise? Bouncing off rocks, swinging on vines, pulling pistols didn't get much better than that. Now I'm not saying that the games made during the time period that the movies released were something less than stellar, that's for you to decide, I'm just saying that I'm happy to see that with the release of the latest incarnation, Tomb Raider: Underworld, it looks like we may have something of a new take.

I've only briefly played the demo available on Xbox LIVE and PSN and I could be reading too much into the slick integration of graphics and music in the launch trailer below, but what if I'm not? Something worth playing in the Tomb Raider franchise that is based on the merits of the game alone? Wow, now that would be a real welcome home party for Laura Croft that I could get behind. It also might mean that I can put my old PSone game out to pasture.

Check out the video below.

--Hobson's Choice

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Capcom's Street Fighter IV PR machine just keeps rolling along with their release today of the Gouken boss battle trailer. Brother to fellow boss Akuma, Gouken is the tough old man of the Street Fighter series, and sensei to hot shots Ken and Ryu. Appropriately the trailer below shows the burly old master totally wiping the floor with both Ken and Ryu's pretty boy faces, as well as taking no pity on my girl in blue Chun-Li. The game releases next February on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC platforms. Enjoy.

--Hobson's Choice

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Okay, well maybe it is more like off Broadway and not quite raining like Cats, but DDR has indeed made it to the Great White Way.

Something along the lines of a futuristic Footloose, meets Hedwig and the Angry Inch, with a sprinkling of Tommy thrown in for good measure, the stage version of Dance Dance Revolution is loosely based on the popular Konami game franchise and is set in a futuristic society where dancing is illegal. What, no dancing? Who would put up with that, certainly not the scantily clad young street toughs who populate this world and chafe at the lack of outlets for their terpsichorean tendencies. But they need a leader. Right on cue the mysterious dance prophet 'Moonbeam Funk' hits the stage, mat, platform, etc. A whole lot a Moonbeam Dance offs, spandex, and musical happenings ensue, and oh yes, Revolution.

Presented by the New York-based Les Freres Corbusier repretory theater, unfortunately this production is currently limited to NYC. I've been threatening to take up theater going in my old age, no, really. If this production, or some of the others under Les Freres' banner--see some of the totally off-the-wall productions they've done at their site--ever goes out on the road I might just be tempted to follow through on that threat. Also, gaming is such a follow the leader/dollar industry that I wonder what could be next: God of War 4: The Opera? Gears of War Dinner Theater?

--Hobson's Choice

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A true throwback to the early days of gaming that pretty much everyone assumed were gone forever, Mega Man 9 is a reminder of what gaming was, and still can be all about: you, your controller and a challenge.

The ninth installment in Capcom's Mega Man series, which dates back to 1986, Mega Man 9 is an all new 2D platforming adventure designed to look, play and sound just like classic 8-bit games from the NES and upright arcade era. As the game opens it is revealed that a brief peace has been shattered by rampaging robots, and the question of who is behind it is raised? It could be the usual suspect Dr. Wily, but it could also be Mega Man ally Dr. Light. The one certainty is that you will be the one to take on the eight robot masters in themed 2D scrolling action to save the day. In defeating each you will gain a weapon that is crucial in defeating one of the others. It's up to you to figure out which is which and take the battle to them bots.

Just as in all 8-bit games, Mega Man 9's controls and gameplay are simple and straight forward. Mega Man can run, jump and
shoot, that's it. There is no ducking, no tricks and definitely no auto
saves. So, when you die, you are right back at the beginning of the level, hopefully mustering enough compulsive gaming tendencies to give
it another shot and power on through. Truth be told, I can't remember a time in the recent past when I've
struggled so hard to clear a level, or gained as much satisfaction when
I finally did. That's right, listen up all you hardcore Next-Geners out there. When you can whip through these levels as easy as you do on the shooter of the hour, then you'll be hardcore. I'd say MM9 was worth the ish download cost just for the initial go of it, and I assure you I've got more than a few levels to go. So, whether you are looking to inject a little nostalgia into your game, or are just in search of a challenge, this is definitely a cheap way to get either.


Mega Man 9 is available for download and play on Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network and the Wii Shopping Channel. Although game features included and exact cost via each of these may vary slightly, here is what you can expect from the Xbox LIVE Arcade version that was sampled for this review. See the other versions on their respective platforms for particulars those:

• Players supported: 1
• Cost: 800 Microsoft points
• Leaderboard support: Yes
• LIVE Achievements: 12
• Additional downloadable content: Themes, Extra modes, attacks, gamer pics
• 50 built-in challenges that can be completed on different levels

--Hobson's Choice

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Sure, the presidential election is over. Soon enough the memories of the hours of news and infotainment compulsively consumption over the last few months will fade away and the countdown to Democratic responsibility for the changes that need to happen in this country and the world will begin. But before those things happen, I have to give a shoutout to all the flash game developers on the Net who jumped on the political bandwagon in '08 and cranked out some quality and/or amusing stuff. Maybe I was not paying attention during previous elections and similarly infectious little bits of code were floating around then as well, but I gotta say, if they were I did not notice.

Check out and play a few of the gems that popped up during this year's presidential campaign.

AirMILF
Thanks for the memories Governor. Whether '08 ends up being the beginning or ending of Sarah Palin's career in national politics, the nation and a good chunk of the world has got a pack full of images stuck in our heads for ever more; only one of which is of Alaska's Caribou Barbie rather unsportingly raining lead down on canis lupus and family for fun and profit.

Campaign: General Election Edition
Who are the real Americans and where do they live? Who knows, who cares. The country is up for grabs and to the winner will go the spoils. A turn-based strategy game where players choose their candidate and support staff members--each with different strengths, weaknesses and special moves--all joking aside, this is actually a pretty fun game in a red/blue/grey state kind of way. Singleplayer and multiplayer option available.

Joe The Plumber: Layin' Pipe
This
year's Republican populist rhetoric has it that there a little bit of
'Joe the Plumber' in all of us. God, I hope not. If so, who is gonna
deal with the next septic situation? The quizzical Mr. Wurzelbacherust
may some day yet attain the license that has alluded him, but in the
meantime use your brainteasing abilities to beat the flush in
this escalating series of puzzles that are reminiscent of the hacking
mini-games of BioShock.

Super Obama World
We all hope that president Obama's platform is as well rounded as it sounded during the campaign. We will have to wait until after inauguration day to get the details on that, but in the meantime players can run and jump through this 2D sidescroller modeled after the various Super Mario franchises. Approach the lipsticked pigs and mavericks gone rogue at your peril.

Below The Beltway   
Whether during the debates or on the stump, the gloves came off in a big way during this year's campaign. Relive every jab, hook, haymaker and body blow both on at the presidential level and on the under ticket in this boxing game that uh, pulls no punches.


--Hobson's Choice

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Street Fighter fans all over the world are ruing their lack of Japanese--well, except those fans in Japan that is--with the release of the Japanese Boss trailer Street Fighter IV below which gives a peek at tough guy Seth. I had seen screens of Seth several months back, but I thought that he was an all new Boss to the franchise. Then I saw a few references on the Web that seemed to indicate, if unclearly, that he had made an appearance in a few of the earlier arcade versions, though I don't recall that. Regardless, he looks like he'll be a kick ass villain in SF IV.

In the trailer below he looks to be able to work his chi into explosive and propulsive bursts and transport himself through space. Regardless, he puts some serious hurt on M. Bison and totally destroys Guile. I'm feeling pretty down with this, so I had better start saving my spare change now...The game comes out in February '09 on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Expect more info as release date creeps closer and if anyone knows what other SF games Seth may have appeared in, clue me in.

--Hobson's Choice

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One of the biggest stories of the 2008 Presidential election has been Democratic candidate Barack Obama's fund raising ability and where he has chosen to invest those dollars. Of course the infomercial the other week was the headliner in this department, but one of his most forward thinking and cost effective investments was the money the Obama campaign put into video game advertising. Just a few of the places where Obama made an appearance were Burnout Paradise, Second Life and NBA Live.

Unlike TV advertising, which all together cost the Democrats hundreds of millions of dollars, the monies put into gaming advertising was probably not much more than 0k or so, this based on the expenditure for its major placement in Burnout Paradise, which was less than k. So, if the election were held today--ooops I guess it is today isn't it--who would win according to the Xbox LIVE poll that has been going on for the last few months? Surprise, surprise, it looks like we are looking at an Obama presidency. The other surprise is that Obama's leading percentage, 53%, is the same as CNN's percentage, both for the Halloween weekend, while there is a 13% differential between the McCain's percentage across the two polls. Now, as brave a face as John McCain has been putting on over the last few weeks, I'm sure he would prefer to have the 46% seen in the CNN poll over the sad 33% seen in the LIVE version. Does that mean if the GOP would have spent a few dollars cow towing to gamers that maybe they would be doing a bit better. Who knows, but again, we are talking a few hundred thousand dollars here. Both sides can obviously afford that and since change is driving this election it might be a good idea to pay attention to those most looking forward to that change, the youth of the nation. I've a feeling that regardless who takes the white house this year both sides will be covering all their bases next time around.

Check out the polls below, especially in the LIVE undecided category. Looks like there is some opportunity there:

--Hobson's Choice

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It has been reported in at least one blog today that select or not so select Xbox 360 games are shipping with Netflix streaming video trial offers that will allow Xbox 360 owners to take advantage of the Netflix functionality set to begin November 19th through the New Xbox Experience (NXE).

Bundled with the standard 48 hour trial offer for a LIVE Gold Membership (all 360 owners receive a free Xbox LIVE Silver Membership with their console) that are commonly inserted in game boxes, this added carrot would not be usable until the NXE starts up on November 19th and has only been reported thus far with the just launched 007 game, James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace. The service will require a Xbox LIVE Gold Membership, an existing Netflix Unlimited account (served through the trial offer) and of course a broadband connection. If this news proves to be true, lots of Xbox 360 owners can expect to be seeing this offer with the realease of hot-prominent titles this month like: Gears of War 2, Call of Duty: World at War, Tomb Raider: Underworld and others.

--Hobson's Choice

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Just after the New Year EA and Pandemic will be launching The Lord of the Rings: Conquest. An interactive overview of the major battles/conflicts shown in the three movies, the real hook of the game will be that players will be able to fight for either "good or evil." Hopefully it won't be quite as black and white as that, but we shall see.

Personally I'm a total Tolkien freak, so I'm down regardless. But what I am hoping for is a little evolution though, if not through this game and others like LOTR Online, then through the others that will follow. What I mean is that as fantastic as the movies and all the games based on them are, they are far from the end all of what I hope to see emerge out of Middle-Earth. The movies are fine for the mainstream, but as Tolkien--as opposed to LOTR--fans will tell you, the time period during which the events of LOTR happen are really the lesser, or at least much later, days of Middle-Earth. A LOT of really cool stuff happens in the first, second and earlier parts of the Third Age of Middle-Earth. If you don't believe me simply open up a copy of "The Return of the King." You'll notice that a full third of the book is dedicated to appendices. Even better, read through the Silmarillion, basically a mythology/history of the peoples and civilizations that are referenced in Tolkien's books and stories. Anyway, enough with the dork-fest. Conquest will be available on Xbox 360, PS34, PC and DS in January '09. I just hope that we Orc-a-philes are allowed to pick the specifics of our kind. We Uruks hate being stuck playing as that Morgul slime that's been on offer for years.

--Hobson's Choice

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Remember that day years ago when you walked into the local arcade, 7-Eleven or bowling alley and saw Street Fighter for the first time? I have to admit that I don't. And why is that? Beyond problems with my terrible memory, it's because Street Fighter seems to me to have always been somewhere in the background of my life. Maybe this is just fallout from years of $.50 corn dogs or taquitos and two for one specials with no charge for shoes at the local lanes. Regardless, it's good to see that with the upcoming Street Fighter IV that the grand old game still has a presence.

The video below was released the other day at TGS '08 and looks pretty fantastic. Apparently we can expect the same classic arcade action featuring old friends, but with cool anime and watercolor stylings illustrating the backstory of each combatant like never before. The game is due next Febuary on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC platforms. Very cool, check it out the trailer:

--Hobson's Choice

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As a perusal of thousands of LIVE members' games and achievements lists would reveal, LIVE Arcade is huge part of the Xbox LIVE experience. That's why the an announcement a few months ago that did more than imply that Microsoft could be delisting under performing XBLA titles in the future may have left a bad taste in the mouths of LIVE Arcade players, especially those with smaller hard drives. Well corporate VP John Schappert may have gone a good way to ease those player's fears with his comments on the subject at TGS this week. According to Schappert, as quoted in a piece published on IGN:

"We have no immediate plans to act on de-listing," continuing on that earlier statements by Microsoft on the topic were meant to set "parameters by which we can delist."

So, this doesn't mean that XBLA titles couldn't be dropped in the future, but if the gist of the problem is surfacing titles in the an order that Microsoft wants instead of limiting users to scrolling through an alpha or genre list of games, then the upcoming Vista-like Xbox Experience makeover of the Xbox LIVE UI should solve that.
And with that, on to another rousing game of Hexic HD. Like that ever going anyway, please.

--Hobson's Choice

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