At long last, Capcom's legendary fighting series comes to the Xbox Live Arcade with Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting.

Title: Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting
Developer: Capcom USA
Publisher: Capcom Entertainment, Inc.
Genre: Fighting
Release Date: 8/02/06
Console: Xbox 360
Multiplayer: 1-2 Players
Xbox Live: Yes
HDTV Support: 720p
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Demo?: Yes

Description as per Xbox.com

"Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, brings its arcade classic to Xbox Live® Arcade with Street Fighter® II’ Hyper Fighting. In addition to several offline modes and numerous leaderboards and achievements, the game takes advantage of the new online features of the Xbox 360™ console’s powerful processing capabilities to create a seamless online multiplayer experience. 

Among several online game options is an exclusive mode called "Quarter Match," a new way of reliving the exhilarating arcade experience at home. Xbox 360 users can access Xbox Live Arcade to download a free, feature-limited version of the game which offers two playable characters for one match. When you're ready for the ultimate retro gaming experience, unlock the full version of the game and choose from all eight original characters as well as four boss characters, each with their own special endings and home levels." - Xbox.com Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting game description

As much as I hate the idea of paying $10 for an Xbox Live Arcade title, the simple fact is that it's Street Fighter II and it's playable online. I just have too many fond memories of the game to pass it up. Whether it was playing the original machine in the game room at Fordham University or picking up a SNES when the game was launched simply because it had Street Fighter II - who cared if the cartridge was $80?. I guess what I'm saying is over the years, I've invested a ton of money in the series and I've probably gotten my money's worth back - what's $10 more, right?

After this, the only scheduled Xbox Live Arcade title in the release queue is Pac-Man, which should hit next week.

Posted by nylatenite at 7:42 AM EDT

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Just a note in case you haven't checked out the latest trailer for Capcom's upcoming Xbox 360 game Dead Rising - according to a note at the end of the trailer, a demo should be coming to Xbox Live sometime in the near future - hopefully before the game releases on August 8th.

In case you haven't caught it yet, or don't have a 360/Live account, here it is in YouTubed splendor. A word of warning - the demo contains depictions of extreme violence and gore. The video is probably not safe for work, and I certainly wouldn't play it with any young children in the room. You have been warned.

Still no love from Tripod on Embedded videos - click here for the YouTube video

Posted by nylatenite at 1:38 AM EDT

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Gamasutra is reporting that Kyoto based newspaper Kyoto Simbun has reported that the Nintendo DS has sold over 10 million units in Japan in it's first 20 months of existence, giving it the fastest start for a console ever in the country. In addition, at least 10 titles have already sold over one million copies each with several other titles closing in on the number.

In other words, the damned thing is popular as all hell. How popular exactly? In just over 2 months, the DS-Lite has already moved an astonishing 2.34 million units. Remember, these numbers represent only Japan - add the worldwide sales together and you're going to be looking at an even bigger number.

For a machine that started off on the wrong foot, Nintendo certainly has made a massive comeback - and as someone who recently picked up a used "fatty" DS, It's well deserved.

Check out the Gamasutra article here for more details - and stop touching - you'll go blind!

Posted by nylatenite at 12:58 AM EDT

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As promised, the demo for THQ's upcoming game Saint's Row is now available in the Xbox Live Marketplace. The demo comes in at 904.96mb, so if you're like me, your hard drive should be getting pretty crowded by now.

Posted by nylatenite at 6:14 PM EDT

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Electronic Arts has released the first map pack for the Xbox 360 version of Battle for Middle Earth II. The pack, entitled Aragorn's Journey reportedly contains just 3 maps for a whopping 700 points ($8.75) - no thanks guys, even if I had bought and enjoyed the game, no way I'd spend that much for three lousy maps. Those that do feel the need to be bent over can find the download in the Xbox Live Marketplace.

Posted by nylatenite at 6:14 PM EDT

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Gamespot is carrying a report that Crytek, the makers of the CryEngine used in many games and the developers of the much anticipated game Crysis, is looking for Playstation 3 programmers with cross-platform experience.

While that doesn't necessarily mean that those programmers are going to work on a PS3 version of Crysis, it would be a strong possibility. Hell, It certainly would be nice to see some good Playstation 3 news, though a multi-console launch would be even sweeter.

Posted by nylatenite at 1:18 AM EDT

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A few months back, we noted a PSM report that showed that there was a third party original Playstation controller made in 1999 than featured the same tilt effects as the newly unveiled "innovative" Playstation 3 controller. We thought that was kind of embarrassing for Sony at the time. We didn't know the half of it...

The folks over at GoNintendo have looked a bit further back into the mists of time and found that a third party "tilt" controller was also available for the Super Nintendo... back in 1996. What really worries me about the "tilt" features in both the Wii and PS3 controllers is that I question how friendly it may be to the user in the long run. I can speak from experience that I don't hold a controller perfectly still the entire time I play a game, and if those motions could throw the game off somehow, then there's going to be a problem.

I'm trying to stay optimistic that both controllers have been thought through better than their previous incarnations - sure, the earlier "tilt" controllers never caught on, but the systems they were on were never designed with them in mind. Hopefully at some point I'll get to go hands on with the controllers and put that issue and many of my other fears about them to rest.

Check out the GoNintendo article here and our previous article about the PS1 tilt controller here.

Posted by nylatenite at 1:05 AM EDT

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Gamespot has posted an interview with Doug Lowenstein, president of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) - the host organization for E3. In addition to explaining the "official" reasons behind the changes that are being made, Lowenstein confirmed that the new E3 will take place sometime in July, most likely early in the month.

While nothing is concrete yet, those looking for more information on just what exactly will be happening to the show can check out the Gamespot interview here and our previous articles on the changes here, here and here.

Posted by nylatenite at 12:46 AM EDT

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Let's get the question that's on everyone's mind out of the way first - is E3 cancelled? No folks, it's not, but E3 is going to be changing massively;

"To better address the needs of today’s global computer and video game industry, the 2007 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3Expo) is evolving into a more intimate event focused on targeted, personalized meetings and activities, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today. 

“The world of interactive entertainment has changed since E3Expo was created 12 years ago.  At that time we were focused on establishing the industry and securing orders for the holiday season,” said Douglas Lowenstein, President of the ESA, the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers and the owner of E3Expo.  “Over the years, it has become clear that we need a more intimate program, including higher quality, more personal dialogue with the worldwide media, developers, retailers and other key industry audiences." -ESA press release

In other words, take away all the flash, glitter and drama of E3 and reduce it to a much more intimate meeting between the media and exhibitors. Perhaps the best explanation of what to expect comes a few sentences later;

"While there will be opportunities for game demonstrations, E3Expo 2007 will not feature the large trade show environment of previous years. 

“E3Expo remains an important event for the industry and we want to keep that sense of excitement and interest, ensuring that the human and financial resources crucial to its success can be deployed productively to create an exciting new format to meet the needs of the industry. The new event ensures that there will be an effective and more efficient way for companies to get information to media, consumers, and others” "- ESA press release

What I expect based on these statements is that the "show" will now consist of much more simple booths that are designed around showcasing the content the company has without having to catch your attention from half a mile away. I'm guessing everything will be much more rigidly structured, (perhaps even having scheduled times for every attendee at every booth) so that everyone's product would at least in theory have a chance to be looked at.

Most of the fine details still seem up in the air, which gives the press release a sense of "we managed to come to this agreement at the last second to save the show" rather than "we've been thinking about this since last May"

I've also got to say that the statement "E3 remains an important event for the industry" should be viewed with a lot of skepticism. I'd also be very interested to see how they plan on deciding who is worthy of attending the new format and who isn't.

Bottom line? (in my opinion)- the E3 everyone knew as the Super Bowl of gaming is dead, but it's being replaced with the Arena Bowl. Is that a good thing? Only time will tell - but from an average consumer's point of view, it sounds like it's bound to become a "who cares?" non-event. I'll continue keeping my fingers crossed that some of those cash savings will go towards more consumer friendly events or programs.

Check out the ESA press release here and our previous coverage of this story, here and here.

Posted by nylatenite at 3:54 PM EDT

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Gamasutra is reporting that the rumors of E3's death are greatly exaggerated. According to Gamasutra's sources, while the expo will be changing, it is not being cancelled.

"Despite sensationalist headlines regarding E3's outright cancellation from several online sources, Gamasutra has learned that the event is currently under significant threat for downsizing and relocation in 2007, due to dissatisfaction from major publishers over the cost of the LA-based event." -Gamasutra

While all signs are pointing towards some form of major change, my guess is that with all the rumors. speculation and "inside sources" floating about, we're not going to know the whole story until the ESA fills everyone in (hopefully) later today. For now, I'm sticking with my "I doubt it (a full cancellation) will happen, but it would make sense" position as stated in an earlier article. Naturally, we'll report on any new information as it becomes available.

Check out the Gamasutra article here, our earlier story on the rumors here and several of the other articles from around the net at the following sites;

Next-Generation, Kotaku, Major Nelson, Gamerscore Blog, Evil Avatar, Destructoid, Joystiq, Gamespot, IGN

Posted by nylatenite at 2:56 AM EDT

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