2K Sports has announced that Rick Nash, captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, has been chosen as the cover athlete for the upcoming hockey game, NHL 2K9. Naturally, the three-time NHL All-Star is thrilled:

“I’ve been a longtime fan of the hockey games from 2K Sports. My idols have all been on the covers of video games as I was growing up, so to be on the cover of NHL 2K9 myself is truly incredible,” said Nash, who scored an impressive three goals in the 2008 NHL All-Star Game. “The set of new features they’re adding is really going to make this game special for hockey fans - I’m hoping they give me a couple extra points to my player rating this year!”

Developer for the game, Visual Concepts, is apparently building a whole new game from the ground up to provide a fun and addictive hockey experience. The game is set to be released in the fall for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PS2.

Via Press Release

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When a company that is comprised of some of the best video game talents that Japan has to offer announces that they are working on several new games, that tends to be worth a look. When one of those games happens to be helmed by Hideki Kamiya, creator of Devil May Cry, Okami, and Viewtiful Joe, then you can probably expect to see one of the coolest and craziest titles currently in production. In this case, that game is Bayonetta. I have no idea what the game is about, and the trailer may be only forty seconds long; but this is still the coolest piece of game-related footage I’ve seen all week. You dont’ even get a good look at the protagonist, but that’s not as important as the fact that she has a freakin’ gun strapped to her foot. Man, those guys at Platinum Games know how to make an entrance.

After getting very little information on the upcoming Hellboy game, we can finally see the actual gameplay. The game is actually based on the hit comic book series by Mike Mignola. Personally, I love the comic, so this trailer both thrills and terrifies me. On the one hand, it looks like they did a pretty good job of adapting Mignola’s style into the graphics. On the other hand though, this looks like your typical, run-of-the-mill beat ‘em up. I don’t know what else they would’ve done, but you’d think they could add something to spice up the derivative action a little.

Namco Bandai announced that the original Soul Calibur would be making its way to the XBLA awhile back, but now they’ve revealed new details and a handful of screenshots. The game obviously isn’t as pretty as Soul Calibur IV is looking, but I’m sure the game is still plenty of fun to play. The XBLA version will feature slightly enhanced visuals as well as numerous leaderboards for all types of stats and characters. The game will also feature local versus modes, but sadly there has been no mention of any online play. That’s actually kind of a deal breaker for me, particularly with Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix just around the corner. Regardless, the XBLA Soul Calibur is set to be released this summer, and you can check out some more screens for it here.

Via Press Release

Well, DBZ fans, looks like you can finally get a taste of the next game in your beloved franchise. A new demo for Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit has just hit Xbox Live today. Even though the last DBZ fight, Budokai Tenkaichi 3, offered visuals rivaling those of the actual anime series, it looks like this next-gen game will improve on the graphics even more with flashier effects and more realistic settings. I’m not sure what changes — if any — have been made in terms of gameplay, but I’m also pretty sure none of that matters to all the Dragon Ball fans out there.

Via Major Nelson

Valve has released a new trailer for Left 4 Dead that’s basically a walkthrough of the “Hospital” level. In it, four people must help each other in trying to shoot their way through hordes of zombies and make it to a safe room. Along the way, they’ll meet up with literally hundreds of the undead as well as a nasty traps and surprises. It looks really awesome, but I have a feeling I’m going to end up in the corner numerous times just firing wildly. That, and I’ll most likely be seeing those zombie hordes coming at me in my sleep.

It looks like the Xbox Originals list is getting it’s almost-monthly update this Monday with Stubbs the Zombie and Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows. Stubbs the Zombie was a very original and creative game that has amassed a cult following over time because of this. Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows on the other hand is pretty much the same Gauntlet from several years ago, except no one really cared about this one. The two games should be showing on the Xbox Live Marketplace this Monday for 1200 MS points each. As always though, you can probably find a used copy of the actual disc somewhere for about five bucks.

Via Major Nelson

So far, I think this has to be my favorite wacky character from the upcoming game, Facebreaker. This new trailer shows off “Steve,” who’s basically a big, fat nerd and also a “ninja boxing master.” Basically this means that he’s a guy who beats people up and then says something really nerdy to make them feel even worse about losing. The game itself is said to be a spiritual successor to Punch-Out, and the assortment of goofy characters seems to fit that quite well.

Last Friday, Jonathan informed all Rock Band fanatics that some new tracks would be released this week and according to The Major, you can start downloading them now. Featuring Blondie, Sonic Youth, and The Clash, these various tracks are 160 MS points each and I have posted all the gory information below.

Rock Band: Various Tracks

Content: “Train In Vain (Stand by Me)” - The Clash
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: Canada and U.S.
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: “Train In Vain (Stand by Me)”–The Clash. PLEASE NOTE: Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: “Kool Thing” - Sonic Youth
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: Canada and U.S.
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: “Kool Thing”–Sonic Youth. PLEASE NOTE: Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Content: “Hanging on the Telephone” - Blondie
Price: 160 Microsoft Points
Availability: Canada and U.S.
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track: “Hanging on the Telephone”–Blondie. PLEASE NOTE: Many Rock Band song game tracks are available as both a multipack and as a single game track. These song game tracks are exactly the same (unless expressly noted as a special version or remix). Be aware that it is possible to download the same song game track twice so please carefully consider your purchases. For music credits, visit www.RockBand.com. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Via: Major Nelson

A representative from LucasArts has confirmed that there will be a demo for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, which will be released through Xbox Live and the Playstation Network (sorry, Wii owners). The company wants more people to see the game first-hand, which will hopefully convince them to buy it. According to Cameron Suey, the producer for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions:

“I’m not certain about the specifics, but we definitely want to get this game out into people’s hands,” Suey told us. “There are people who are excited about it, who are going to play it right away, whether they play it (the demo) or not. But I think something that is wonderful is that the gameplay itself is so engaging, people who aren’t Star Wars fans or who aren’t even hardcore gamers, once they get their hands on some of the gameplay and how it works, are really going to be won over by it.”

When asked directly if LucasArts planned to release a demo, Suey replied: “Yeah. We definitely want to get it out there.”

Unfortunately, no word yet on when exactly a demo might be coming. Rest assured though that whenever it does, I’ll be playing the hell out of that thing.

Via VideoGamer.com

I’ve seen a lot of casemods in the past, but none of them looked like they might suddenly jump up and drag me into a swamp. At first I thought someone out there had literally skinned an alligator and used its hide to cover their Xbox 360. It turns out though that “dfwmonkie” sculpted the alligator skin out of Bondo, which he then painted to give it a more realistic look. He even sculpted a gator eye for the power switch. It’s certainly very cool, but it would’ve been much cooler if there was some story of alligator wrestling to go along with this.

Via Technabob

Independent developer, Playful Entertainment, have announced that they will be releasing “Ticket to Ride” for the XBLA sometime in the next few weeks. The game will be based on a hit board game of the same name that was released in 2004. Players will be tasked with creating railroad routes across North America, while trying to connect different cities. Like most digital versions of board games, Ticket to Ride will be quick and easy to learn, but will allow for much deeper strategy with practice. Naturally, the game will support up to five people through Xbox Live, four-player local games, and the Xbox Live Vision camera. This will also mark the first game release for Playful, which CEO Sean Murch seems particularly proud of:

“The industry has been dominated by the big players, but digital distribution and alternative financing are leveling the playing field,” notes Murch. “It’s a David and Goliath story.”

So far, most of the titles for the XBLA that were based on board games have turned out pretty well, so this may be one to look out for once it eventually sees release.

Via Press Release

When Capcom revealed that the upcoming XBLA/PSN game, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, would involve new hand-drawn visuals, fans of the series responded with enthusiasm. When it was later revealed that there would also be a few changes in the classic game’s balancing though, Capcom was met with quite a bit of harsh criticism. So GamerCyte decided to sit down with David Sirlin, the man in charge of the new balancing tweaks at developer Backbone, to talk about why they decided to change the balancing and what the reaction has been from the fans. Basically, it all comes down to the fact that — let’s face it — the characters in past Street Fighter games have been really unbalanced in certain matches, statistically. Backbone basically set out to try and put the fighters on somewhat more even ground by making slight changes to the fighting moves and such. The tweaks they’re making will probably only be really noticeable to the really hardcore fans, and then they’ll just have to decide whether they can get used to them or not. Of course, I’m not very good at Street Fighter anyway, so I’m totally fine with getting the characters more balanced.

Via GamerCyte

Awhile back, Criterion rolled out the newest update for Burnout Paradise with the Bogart patch…and then they quickly rolled it back up again. Turned out patch gave users some serious frame rate issues, so they recalled the patch, stating that they would fix it and re-release it within a week. Well, apparently their definition of a week differs from ours — since it’s been three — but now they have announced that the Bogart update has gone live once more. This one doesn’t really add too many huge new features itself, but it is supposed to pave the way for future major updates to the game. he new patch should auto-download as soon as you log into the game.

Via Criterion

Atari has unveiled a new trailer for their upcoming Alone in the Dark game. This new video reveals that Edward Carnby isn’t the only human being that will show up in the game and that there’s actually some big supernatural conspiracy going on (duh). It also kind of hints at why Edward looks so young when –following the series’ timeline of events — he should be in his 80’s by the present day. The gameplay still looks downright awesome though, especially when something is lit on fire.

Baja is THQ’s upcoming next-gen racing title for the PS3 and Xbox 360. And as with most racing titles boasting of being “next-gen,” you can expect the physics of this game to have gone through an overhaul. In this developer diary, some of the people behind the game discuss how much detail and effort went into crafting the the physics behind the game as well as even how the suspension in the cars reacts. According the them, even hitting the slightest bump in the road can affect your car’s performance. I’m still wondering just how this game will stack up to MotorStorm 2 though.

Microsoft has announced that three special outfits will be available as DLC for the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 2. The game’s star, Ryu, Hayabusa, will be able to don these different costumes as he slices his way through demons and monsters. Each one will cost around 200 MS points, though 39,000 people who pre-order the game will gain access to the first one on launch day. Sadly, the offer is only available in select countries and so far they only seem to be ones in Europe. The picture above shows the free costume those poeple could get, but the other tow will also be available on launch day. You know, if you want Ryu to look all special or something as you play through the story.

Via NeoGAF

Ah yes, it’s Friday, and that means we get a sneak peak at the Rock Band DLC coming out next week. This week has three separate tracks from some classic artists:

• Hanging on the Telephone by Blondie (master)
• Train in Vain by The Clash (master)
• Kool Thing by Sonic Youth (master)

As usual, each track will cost 160 MS points ($1.99) each and should hit Xbox Live on Tuesday and the PSN on Thursday. And I’m already positive my rendition of “Kool Thing” is goingt o involve a lot of mumbling.

Via Rock Band Forums

Developer, Rebellion, and publisher, Reef Entertianment, have announced a partnership to bring Rogue Trooper to the Wii. The original game told the story of a genetically-engineered soldier fighting a planetary civil war on “Nu Earth.” His whole squad dies in the first mission, but live on after he applies their “biochips” to his weapons and gear. After that, they provide him with several special abilities and upgrades, plus helpful advice from time to time. The game was surprisingly pretty good, and actually gained some acclaim from critics.  The new Wii version will be titled “Rogue Trooper: The Quartz Zone Massacre” and will include enhanced Wii controls, plus a few tweaks from Rebellion. The game is expected to ship in Q4 of this year.

Okay, Rogue Trooper was a pretty decent game and all, but could we just stop with all the Wii ports of PS2 games? Please? Besides, if you want to try out this game and save yourself some cash, the original Rogue Trooper is available to play on GameTap for free.

Via VideoGamer

Looks like Tony Hawk is taking a break from the game business for a little while. Activision recently confirmed that there is no Tony Hawk game set for release in 2008, making this the first year without a Hawk game on consoles since the first one came out in 1999. Well, there will be one coming out for the DS sometime this year, but that doesn’t really count — though Activision is saying that it will “utilizes new technology not yet seen on the DS.” The publisher claims that the extra development time will be used for “reinventing Tony Hawk from the ground up.” We should see a new Hawk game in fiscal year 2010, which begins in April 2009 for Activision.

Oh no. No new Tony Hawk game in 2008? That’s…just…terrible…you know, I can’t even fake disappointment here. It took me hours to wash out the stink that Proving Ground left in my 360, and it still kind of lingers there a little. Sometimes there just isn’t enough Febreze.

Via DarkZero