It is great to be part of the 1Up Network. You know why? Because tomorrow, 1UP’s GameVideos will be the very first place online you’ll be able to see new footage from Gears of War 2 in all of its HD glory. According to 1UP, “you’re going to be blown away”. Sounds great if you are a GoW fan and are looking forward to the next installment from Cliffy B and the rest of the folks at Epic Games.

The new footage is expected to hit the net around 10:30 pm PST - so for those of us in the EST zone, that is 1:30 in the morning. Sorry, but I just can’t stay up that late to watch it - maybe if it was something I was truly excited about I could possibly do it, but even then, I prefer to get my beauty sleep and trust me - you, dear readers, benefit more from it than I do. There is nothing worse than a cranky Stephany - except maybe a rabid badger.

Thanks: 1Up

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Viking: Battle for Asgard
Developer: Creative Assembly
Publisher: SEGA
Price: $59.99
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360
Category: Action/Adventure
ESRB: “M” for Mature
Release Date: March 25, 2008

I have always been enthralled with Nordic legends, and anything Viking related. Far be it to call myself a Nordiphile, I am hardly that – I just like mythology of all sorts. I have also thought that Vikings were too often ignored in video games, and I have never understood why they have been largely shunned by the industry, This is why I was so excited about Beowulf until it was announced that it would be a movie tie-in – and in my opinion, both sucked equally.

When Viking: Battle for Asgard was announced a few moths after Beowulf, my love of Nordic mythology took a back seat to the wariness in my brain. I decided it would be rented instead of purchased and while the waiting list for the game was long at my local Blockbuster – I am glad I waited. Whether Viking: Battle for Asgard was worth the wait or not is open to interpretation. On the one hand, I liked the visuals and some of the executions you could pull off, but the game had so many things wrong with it. It was repetitive, contained shallow swordplay, choppy framerates galore and so many other things wrong with it that by the time I was a quarter of the way finished with the game, I wanted my rental fee back. Of course, Blockbuster does not give refunds for unsatisfactory rental purchases.

In Viking: Battle for Asgard, you are Skarin - a warrior on the edge of death who is brought back from the brink by the Goddess Freya. In exchange for this life saving turn of events, you must do her bidding – and no, there are no sexual undertones to this despite the fact that she is a hottie. Her desire for you is only for you to prevent Hel, the Goddess of the Underworld from taking over Midgard. The plotline gives you the impression that the game would be full of hack and slash potential, and that is indeed true. The game was oozing with potential, and when playing I kept waiting for the goods to come to fruition but, alas, they never surfaced – probably because none were present to being with.

Read the full article

As part of the 1UP network, we here at Gaming Today were pleased as punch to learn that 1UP was listed in the Top 10 of Nielson Online’s VideoCensus. You see, FileFront may be our Mother, but 1Up is our big sister - you know, the one who always gets asked to the prom by every guy on the planet because she is so damn pretty and popular.

Nielson lists the the top 10 online destinations for video consumers aged 12-24 based on number of unique viewers. Smack-dab in the center of this list is the 1UP Network, and it was the ONLY gaming specific website to make the list - which included such notables as Adult Swim, Facebook, and Women Who Look Like Ham Hocks (I know, bad joke).

With the awesome podcasts and all the cool videos on GameVideos it is no wonder that the 1UP Network was included on the list. We are very proud of 1UP and we offer loads of congrats to the network and everyone on its staff. We would buy them all a round of drinks over this in celebration, but so many people work there that it would bankrupt us.

Via: 1UP

The weekend is upon us, and what better way to waste that last 30 minutes in the office than to watch this week’s episode of the 1UP Show?

You’ll get a good look at something we don’t see nearly often enough here in the US: expanded content for one of the better JRPGs to come along recently, Persona 3. You can get even more info about the expanded content on 1UP’s Persona 3 FES page.

You’ll also get a nice look at the level editor in Majesco’s Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy for the Wii. Most importantly (at least in my opinion), the 1UP Show crew shows off the time they spent with the new Team Fortress 2 Goldrush map at a Valve event earlier this week. Along with the map, you can also check out the new gameplay mode and the new medic weapons.

That just leaves us the special guest, so ask yourself this question: what happens when Fitch interviews J-Pop star Bonnie Pink? You’ll have to watch and find out.

As always, FileFront is hosting the 1UP Show for your downloading pleasure at the links below.

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1UP just happened to attend the Nintendo Media Summit, being the lucky bunch that they are, and they got to get their hands on a variety of games coming to the Wii.

• Boom Blox
• FFCC: My Life as a King
• Guitar Hero: On Tour
• LostWinds
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
• Samba de Amigo

Personally, I am most jealous of them getting to come within 6 feet of The Force Unleashed let alone getting to get their hands on a demo of the game. Too bad it made them feel a bit lukewarm instead of impressed, but hopefully the rest of the game will make up for the only bit that was shown to them.

Via: 1UP

This week’s 1UP Show features David Ellis sounding off on two of his favorite franchises, Mario Kart for the Wii and the Legendary map pack for Halo 3.

You can also look forward to checking out Square’s newest RPG, The World Ends With You alongside Jeremy Parish and Michael Donahoe.

The 1UP Show got to spend some quality time with Bungie this week, as mentioned above. How good was it? I think Matt Chandronait said it best in his blog this week:

A very big thanks to Bungie this week! Both to Writing Lead Frank O’Connor for his brilliant performance and to Multiplayer Design Lead Lars Bakken for both the candid interview and for being understanding (I hope) about me forgetting to put him in the “special thanks” section of the credits! Hey, it was my first solo gig! One should just be glad the 1UP offices are still standing and there were only scattered reports of mutiny :p

As always, FileFront is hosting the 1UP Show for your downloading pleasure. You can grab your weekly fix at any of the links below.

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I’m sure this has happened to every gamer. You get a new power-up/item/spell/whatever in a game and you excitedly try it out the first chance you get…only to be met with shattering disappointment. These moments provide valuable life lessons to young gamers, reminding them that just because it may be dressed up and come with a positive sound effect, that doesn’t mean it’s worth anything. Thus, 1Up has now run down a list of the most useless power-ups in video games. Anyone who’s played a few classic games has surely encountered these “power-ups,” so it’s worth a read if nothing else than to revisit some disappointing memories. Also it’s nice to see I’m not the only one who thought the Leaf Shield from Mega Man 2 was completely worthless.

Via 1Up

A new piece of concept art and a video for Ninja Gaiden 2 has arrived and it shows off Sonia in all of her heaving bosomed glory. The video is cut from the first chapter, “Sky City Tokyo” where Sonia is pushed out of a helicopter and saved from a mushy death by Ryu Hayabusa. The trailer is short, but very cool looking and my only complaint is that my sound card is once again acting up so I could not hear what was being said.

The concept art for Sonia is posted below, and you need to check out 1UP on Monday because they will be posting a new hands-on impression of Ninja Gaiden 2.

Thanks: 1UP

Remember last week when Def Leppard’s guitarist Phil Collen supposedly let the cat out of the bag during a Rockline interview that the band would have three songs featured in Guitar Hero IV? Well, Garnett Lee over at 1UP has suggested that Phil is mistaken and that the tracks could actually be future downloadable content for Guitar Hero III.

1UP also suggests that the reason this could be true is also because of the history of the Guitar Hero series. There is never more than one track from each band included with the game, and the DLC usually comes in groups of threes. Supposedly, 1Up has had this information confirmed “true with whisperings we heard from some trustworthy sources”.

This does make much more sense if you think about it, plus you cannot usually take rock stars at their word especially when they are speaking of something they may not know too much about, and video games is usually not a subject they are too knowledgeable about, with a few exceptions I am sure.
Source: 1UP

The wild and crazy folks over at 1UP are at it again this Friday. This week’s 1UP show runs the gamut of gaming, including all of the following:

• Shawn Elliot and Anthony Gallegos going head to head in Company of Heroes.
• Shawn, Anthony, and Jay Frechette discussing their experiences in the new MMO Mythos, including an impromptu chat with Flagship Studios lead producer Max Schaefer.
• David Ellis and Matt Chandronait talking about the Battlefield Bad Company beta.
• Shane Bettenhausen and Ryan O’Donnell checking out the Sixaxis motion contols in the Wipeout HD beta.

Oh, and you can check out Shane arguing with Jeremy Parish over cosplayers. This begs the question: Are cosplayers something worth arguing over?

As always, the 1UP Show is being hosted on FileFront for your downloading pleasure. Check out the links below to get your weekly fix.

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Tecmo has announced the release of the highly-anticipated Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword for the Nintendo DS. The
title is the first handheld installment in the popular series, which has sold over 2 million units worldwide. Players will fight enemy ninjas and battle various fiends while taking on the role of Master Ninja Ryu Hayabusa and will uncover all the mysteries of Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword’s brand new storyline. The portable experience promises to deliver the same excitement as its console counterpart and the game’s unique only-on-DS experience has earned high praise from 1Up, and if you have not read the review you can do so here.

Storyline:

Six months have passed since the Dark Dragon Blade Incident, the abominable attack on Hayabusa’s village. Just when calm had finally started to slowly settle over the nearly annihilated village, the story’s heroine Momiji is set upon and abducted by the Black Spider Clan, lead by the sorceress, Obaba. What exactly are their motives in carrying out such a dastardly deed? In order to rescue the kidnapped Momiji, Ryu Hayabusa commits himself to new battles.

The player maneuvers the main characters Ryu and Momiji to fight against the Black Spider Clan and the demons that lurk behind them. The story is organized into chapters, and as you solve the riddles posed at every turn you get closer to the core of the story.

Features:

• Innovative DS Stylus Functionality: Master your weapon - the DS stylus. Smoothly maneuver (slide, tap, up/down) and fight through levels with the intuitive operation of the stylus.
• Hold the DS Like a Book: Hold the DS with one hand like a book to assist in the operation of the stylus which allows players to view a wider range of scenes, including battle areas, maps and beautifully illustrated comic-book style cut scenes.
• Cast Ninpo, Ninja Magic, by Symbol Input: Using the DS stylus, draw various symbols to quickly execute numerous types of Ninpo.
• Visually Stunning Graphics and Scenery: Experience a full-scale action game showcasing dynamic camera work and an artful blend of detailed 2D and 3D environments with 3D characters.

To celebrate the launch of Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, the Nintendo World Store and Tecmo will be hosting an in-store event tomorrow, March 26th from 2 - 6 p.m. Participating guests will have a chance to test their ninja-stylus skills as they demo the game and Team NINJA’s director/producer Yosuke Hayashi will make an appearance for photo opportunities and to sign autographs. Information on the store can be found here.

Via: Press Release 

Supposedly rapper, thug, gangsta, Eminem bff, ex-con, entrepreneur, Kanye West hatin’ 50 Cent is set to star in his second videogame.According to EGM, the follow-up to 50 Cent: Bulletproof, tentatively titled 50 Cent II is a third-person shooter that puts 50 and his “G-Unit” homies in the middle east caught between warring factions after being stiffed for their payment for a concert performance. It is currently in development by Swordfish Studios and will be published by Sierra.

Apparently the original game sold enough units to warrant an sequel, which while shocking does not surprise me in the least. Anyway, if you want more information on this, like consoles, expected release dates and what not, you can check out the latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly.

If it’s Friday, then you know it’s time for the The 1UP Show.

This week, the show kicks off with a marathon Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas session, followed up by a mad dash through Off-Road Velociraptor Safari

You can even check out your golf game with the latest installment in the Hot Shots series, Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds. Is the latest installment worth returning to the series for? You’ll have to watch and see what Crispin Boyer, Ryan O’Donnell, and Mike Nelson think.

As always, we’re hosting the 1UP Show here on FileFront for your downloading pleasure. Grab it at the links below!

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Every one of us who was around in the 80’s has learned to fear the word ‘montage.’ In an attempt to clear the good name of montages everywhere, this week’s 1UP Show features a montage of all of the following:

• A visit from Tony “Gimpyfish” Dennis, Hugo “HugS” Gonzales and Neal “Nealdt” Terrell of Smashboards and AllIsBrawl.com discussing the pros and cons of the US release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
• A exclusive first-look at the upcoming Live Arcade title Braid. Jonathan and David Hellman speak to 1UP about the platform/puzzle game.
• A look at Dark Sector and all the unique twists it entails. Was it worth the wait? Ryan O’Donnell, Nick Suttner, and Greg Ford seem to agree that it was.

Check out the montage, which features original music from 1UP’s own Nelson Laut, at the links below.

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Those intrepid game explorers at 1UP have released this week’s 1UP Show, and that means you can all go find out what they think about three more games this week.

First off, they spend a little time talking about the recently released shooter, Army of Two. I’ve been playing this one a fair bit myself. If you have too, make sure to see what the 1UP crew thinks of the game, and what effect the delay of its release had on it. Next, you get a peek at the game that single-handedly makes owning a PSP worthwhile, God of War: Chains of Olympus.

Last but not least, they break out a segment they’ve apparently been holding for something like a year. Yes, it’s a look at Line Rider. Hey, just because it’s old doesn’t make it any less cool. If you haven’t checked out Line Rider, you are completely missing out.

So, if any of this sounds like information you need, now’s the time to hit the links below and grab the 1UP Show from FileFront.

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In a bit of a departure from the norm, this week’s 1UP Show is focusing on two smaller developers, both of whom make their home on PlayStation Network.

The first is Q-Games, represented by their president, Dylan Cuthbert. In case you’re not amiliar with them, Q-Games developed the PixelJunk series, kicked off by PixelJunk racers in January of this year.

Also featured is Thatgamecompany. This small developer started by a few students at USC is exploring the boundaries of games as art. Their most recent entry on PSN was flOw.

As usual, you can grab the 1UP Show at the FileFront links below.

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Capcom announced today that the PS3 version of Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, has shipped to retail stores across North America. Lost Planet carries a suggested retail price of $39.99 and is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB.

The PS3 version has a number of specific features not previously available in retail editions of the PC or Xbox 360 versions of the game, which are:

• All 16 previously released multiplayer maps (including the extra downloadable content from Xbox LIVE) included on the disc.
• New unlockable characters for single and multiplayer mode, including Frank West from Dead Rising, Megaman, and others.

Lost Planet also features:

• Intense multiplayer modes with support for up to 16 players online.
• Frenetic action - Lost Planet is a fast-paced third-person shooter with all the depth, intrigue and intensity of a science fiction classic.
• Connect to gamers around the world via PSN and participate in a variety of cooperative and versus battles with up to 16 players:

1. Elimination - It’s every snow pirate for themselves in this death match mode where the victorious are rewarded for the most points earned.
2. Team Elimination – You’re only as good as your teammates so strategy and cooperation is key in eliminating the opposing side.
3. Post Grab - Teams are tasked with capturing and holding as many Posts as possible.
4. Fugitive - One player is assigned as the “Fugitive”, and he or she will earn points for various actions (staying alive, killing enemies, capturing Posts). Dying deducts points and winning is determined when a maximum total is reached or when the score ticks down to zero.

• Foot and robotic Vital Suit-based gameplay – Command high powered VS and weapons not only to help players traverse the treacherous terrain, but to eliminate enemies that lie ahead. Strategically switch between VS and on foot gameplay to best face each situation and challenge.
• Vast environments - Snowstorms, arctic winds, towering buildings and mountains of ice are all stunningly realized as battles occur above and below ground, creating a truly immersive and cinematic event of epic proportions.
• A premier team of developers – The creators of the critically acclaimed Onimusha and Devil May Cry series have come together to create the expansive world of Lost Planet.

For more on Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, check out our previous posts and for a preview of the PS3 version, visit 1UP for James Mielke’s take on the game.

Via: Press Release

This week’s 1UP Show gives us all a chance to peek at what’s going on at this week’s Game Developers’ Conference. They take a closer look at the Independent Games Festival, and all the quality games that independent developers are bringing to the table. The show also spends some time looking into some of the most anticipated games of the year.

You may wonder just what games I’m talking about. Well, here’s a little sampling:

• Audiosurf
• Bionic Commando: Rearmed
• Dishwasher
• Fable 2
• Fez
• Gears of War 2
• JellyCar
• LostWinds
• Ninja Gaiden 2
• Ookibloks
• Recoil: Retrograd
• Street Fighter IV

With all these titles covered, this week’s 1UP Show is a must-see. You can download the 1UP Show from the links below, and you can check out all of 1UP’s GDC coverage here.

Download the 1UP Show on FileFront at these links:

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Rising Star Games, who is the European publisher for No More Heroes, has changed the release date for the game. For those you waiting on Suda ’51’s latest title, you will only have to wait one more week though which is not bad considering how often release dates are changed by months at a time. So, come March 14th you will have No More Heroes sitting on your retail shelves.

Although not released with great fanfare in Japan which has only seen 40,000 copies sold since its launched on December 6th, over here in American 100,000 copies have been sold since its January 23rd release. The game has received generally positive reviews from the gaming community which for a Wii title is not too shabby. 1UP gave the game a 7.5 review score, and the average score for the game is 8.1.

For more information on No More Heroes, check out our previous posts and 1UP’s GDC 08 coverage of Masafumi Takada the composer for the game who has also created music for gaming gems such as: Super Smash Bros. Brawl, RE: Umbrella Chronicles, and Killer 7.

Thanks for the new release date info: CVG

It’s Friday, and that means that this week’s 1UP Show is now available for your enjoyment. This week, you can expect a smorgasbord of information.

You’ll see 1UP editors discussing Condemned 2 and chatting it up with game industry mavens on the red carpet at this year’s DICE conference.

After that, you can get a closer look Professor Layton and the Curious Village, and even check out an exclusive conversation with the renowned Nobuo Uematsu, composer for Final Fantasy. 1UP editors James Mielke and Ryan O’Donnell spent a day with him in his summer home at the foot of Mount Fuji. You can see some excerpts on this week’s 1UP Show, but you should check out the whole feature on 1UP.

The 1UP show is available on FileFront from the following links:

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Thanks, 1UP!