Project Needlemouse is Sonic the Hedgehog 4. The new game will be released episodical on WiiWare, Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network. The Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 will feature HD graphics, while the Nintendo Wii version will use some sort of motioncontroll. The best part is that Sonic 4 is back to it’s original 2D roots, where Sonic belongs. The first episode will be released Summer 2010.
SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced the first game developed specifically for the download market from the world’s fastest hedgehog. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I will be available via download on Microsoft XBLA, Sony PSN and Nintendo WiiWare, bringing with it the addictive classic 2D side scrolling action that Sonic fans have been waiting for.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I offers sublime 2D gameplay through beautifully rendered HD environments. Fans will be able to speed through each level with the classic Spin Dash move, and destroy enemies using the Homing Attack. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I sees the return of the much-loved special stages and takes players through a variety of different Zones, all inspired by the Mega Drive era.
Each level from Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I is separately selectable from the main menu, making it easy for players to replay their favorite sections as they wish. Long time fans will not be disappointed as they rejoin the action and face all new intense boss battles against everyone’s favourite villain – the ever devious and evil – Dr. Eggman!
“Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I is a return to the classic game style of the original Sonic games” commented Gary Knight, European Marketing Director SEGA Europe Ltd. “It’s great to be able to offer fans of the Sonic series the type of game they have been asking for in a high definition experience.”
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I will be available in Summer 2010 for XBLA, PSN, and WiiWare.
This week, on July 15, you can download The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition on Xbox Live Arcade for only 800 points. I’m a bit suprised that it’s only 800 points, and not 1200 which look like the new norm. But at this price, it’s a must have title for all that loved the game nearly 20 years ago.
A cool feature is that you can switch between the 1990 PC version with only 256 colours and the new and updated 2009 XBLA version with HD graphics. You can see it in the video bellow.
Pirates! Adventure! Monkeys! Relive the hilarious swashbuckling misadventures of the wannabe pirate Guybrush Threepwood as he attempts to become the most infamous pirate in the Caribbean! Back by popular demand, The Secret of Monkey Island™: Special Edition faithfully re-imagines the internationally-acclaimed classic pirate adventure game from LucasArts in gorgeous HD detail.
Featuring an all new re-imagined contemporary art style, hand-drawn and presented in 1080p, complete voice over by members of the original Monkey Island™ franchise cast, a re-mastered musical score using live instruments, plus scene-for scene-hot swap to seamlessly transition between Special Edition and Classic modes at anytime.
Hilarious swashbuckling misadventures: Embark on a bumbling misadventure in an attempt to become the most infamous pirate in the Caribbean, win the heart of the beautiful governor, Elaine Marley, and confront the evil ghost pirate, LeChuck!
High-definition graphics: The game is all-new and re-imagined with a contemporary art style, hand-drawn and presented in 1080p.
Voiceover talent: Complete voice over using original Monkey Island franchise cast members brings the story and characters to life like never before.
Renewed music score: Enjoy the re-mastered and re-recorded musical score using live instruments.
Special Edition and Classic modes: Scene-for-scene hot swap lets you seamlessly transition between Special Edition and Classic modes at anytime during gameplay.
Enhanced gameplay: The all-new intuitive game interface and controls provide a more interactive gameplay experience.
Hint system: Not sure what to do next? The in-game puzzle hint system keeps the puzzles fresh and fun.
You can now make your own games on Xbox 360. OK, maybe not the most advanced once, but you can download Kodu which is a community game that lets you make new games.
Joystiq have taken a look at the game and made a video which you can watch bellow.
This week – Wednesday July 1st – on Xbox Live Arcade, you can download Worms 2: Armageddon on Xbox 360. The game is 800 points, I guess. But on the Xbox webpage it’s listed as $800. That should be a big mistprint as you can se in the picture on the right.
Here is the discription of the game, taken from Xbox.com:
Ten years on from Worms™ Armageddon and the turn-based mayhem and destruction continues! Worms™ 2: Armageddon is the most fully-featured digital version of the game ever. With four player online and offline multiplayer, voice support, a raft of new weapons (including the return of some iconic weapons from the past), all-new high-definition landscape themes, new play modes, hats, skins, speech-banks, loads of other customization and to top it all off, a highly-involving single player experience with tutorials, deathmatches, races, fort games, and puzzles. It’s a package as high on fun as it is destruction!
Extensive single-player content: Play through three tutorials, three firing ranges, a thirty-mission campaign, plus five secret unlockable missions.
Online and offline multiplayer: Battle it out in four different ranked game types and extensive leaderboards.
Massively increased customization: Choose from new hats, skins, speechbanks, gravestones, victory dances, and much more.
Retro-themed landscape artwork: The high-definition artwork is based on the most loved Worms game ever made.
Return of iconic weaponry: You’ve got more than 40 weapons out of the box, including the return of fire weapons and the beloved Holy Hand Grenade.
I’m looking forward to play The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition on Xbox 360, it will also be out on PC this Summer. In this version you can play with a new and updated graphics or you can switch to the good old gfx, you can do that on the fly.
Here are two videos from IGN.com from E3 2009 earlier this month.
If you ever played The Secret of Monkey Island on PC back in the days, then this is for you. The Secret of Monkey Island – Special Edition will come to Xbox Live Arcade this summer. The game is updated for HD play on Xbox 360 and it looks very good.
