Fractured Soul has a deceptive trailer

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Well, it was deceptive to me. I knew nothing about Fractured Soul before watching this video and my first thought was that this was some sort of mediocre download title (or a pretty impressive Xbox Live Indie Game). Imagine my surprise when it zooms out to show the dual-screen action and I realize that it's actually a promising DS game.

I know that this isn't the first game to make use of both screens in such a manner, but that's a good thing. It's a concept that we do not see nearly often enough. Honestly, I'm a little bit surprised that there aren't more games which do this. I would have thought it obvious, but maybe there are concerns about disconnect between the two screens because of their separation. I'm just spitballing here, but I can see that being an issue.

Anyway, I want to see more Fractured Soul. It appears to have excellent potential.

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Breaking: iCarly 2: iJoin The Click! announced

Activision announced that it'll be shipping iCarly 2: iJoin The Click! to stores this fall. It'll be available for the Wii and the Nintendo DS, of which you'll want to buy the game for both platforms.

There's nothing else to say here about this, really. I'm just really, really excited about it.

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Download free Dragon Quest IX maps at retail stores

Fun fact: Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies is my first foray into the series. This is made even weirder by my general dislike of turn-based role-playing games. Something about it -- most likely the jolly presentation -- grabbed my attention.

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I sure as heck don't know anyone nearby who owns Dragon Quest IX. Considering how much effort was put into making its multiplayer compelling, this is an issue. Thankfully, that's nothing a few in-store events can't (temporarily) remedy.

• July 31: Select GameStops will throw a DQ meet-up, while most stores will offer the "Zoma" map
• August 7: Select Best Buy locations will have the "Estark" map
• August 7 to September 19: Select malls will have the "Malroth" map and hold sampling events for the game

Treasure maps can be obtained through Tag Mode, which is accessed at the Quester's Rest Inn in Stornway. Details on which store locations are participating in these Dragon Quest shenanigans can be found by clicking here.

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Nintendo: 3DS price will 'fit' with current DS structure

Nintendo has remained coy on the eventual price for a 3DS, but at least one UK spokesman has suggested that the price will be very reasonable indeed. According to UK marketing manager James Honeywell, the price should fall in line with expectations based off previous system iterations. 

"We haven't made any kind of announcement at the moment, but the Nintendo DSi is available for around £129.99. The Nintendo DSi XL, with the larger screens, is around £159.99," he explains. "So obviously, it's going to fit, kind of, somewhere within that kind of architecture."

This hint certainly falls in line with the predicted $250 price point that analysts have been predicting. Nintendo's approach to the handheld market isn't (thankfully) the same as Sony's, so hopefully this will be a device we're more than happy to spend the bones on. 

Nintendo on 3DS price [Official Nintendo Magazine]

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Super Street Fighter IV 3DS gets website and screens

A fighting game fan I am not, but Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition is exciting to me simply because it's a fairly solid indicator of how strong the 3DS' graphical capabilities are. While graphics don't necessarily make the system, it's still good to know that the 3DS is going to look gorgeous. 

Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition just got an official website today, along with a batch of new screenshots that show off just how pretty this game's going to look. After years of humble DS graphics, I scarcely believe that I'm seeing this on a Nintendo handheld. Or a Nintendo system at all, for that matter. 

A fighting game fan I am not, but I might buy this just to have it. 

Super Street Fighter IV 3DS site opens - more screens [GoNintendo]

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Surprise! Call of Duty: Black Ops is getting a DS version

Guys, guys! You can finally relax now. A DS version of Call of Duty: Black Ops is in the pipeline from developer n-Space. This is happening and there's nothing you can do to stop it.

I have no personal experience with any of the Call of Duty games for DS, but friends of our family have kids who really dig them. Full disclosure: they don't own any current-gen consoles, so they take what they can get. Anyway, I imagine there are plenty of people in the same boat, which is why companies keep doing these handheld ports.

Like its console brethren, this miniaturized Black Ops will have controllable aircraft, such as the jet shown above. Six-person online multiplayer with the standard perks system is also a given, which I can't even fathom. Just goes to show how not in the know I am when it comes to competitive DS games.

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Latios and Latias coming soon to Pokemon HG/SS

Nintendo's next download gift for Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver will be obtainable very soon. How does this weekend sound? From July 31 to August 27, North American and PAL players will have the chance to grab the Enigma Stone via Wi-Fi.

With this item, HeartGold owners can catch Latios and SoulSilver owners can catch Latias. Additionally, the Enigma Stone will allow us to get the Soul Dew. Disclaimer: you need to have beaten the Elite Four, claimed the National Pokedex, and own two or fewer Wonder Cards to take part in this.

Not my most-wanted Pokemon by any means, but I'll take them. These cursed giveaways always end in me getting sucked back into the game, which isn't entirely a bad thing. Although, my in-game hour count would probably disagree.

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Capcom: 3DS is the perfect fit for Street Fighter IV

While Capcom surprised the world by bringing Street Fighter IV to the iPhone, it never made its way to other gaming devices. You know, those with buttons and stuff. Why? Because series Yoshinori Ono says Sony's and Nintendo's handhelds couldn't have run the game "at the level [Capcom] wanted."

On the other hand, Nintendo's 3DS is a whole new beast. Particularly, Ono says that the system's wireless capabilities was key to the decision to bring the fighter to the handheld, noting that communication with others will be an important part of the 3DS version of the game. As for the gameplay, he says it won't be altered for a younger audience, and that "the gameplay will be the same as Super Street Fighter IV."

It's already looking great, too; Super Street Fighter IV for the 3DS is scheduled to ship next year.

'PSP' can't handled Super Street Fighter IV' - Capcom [CVG]

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R4 Emulator card banned in UK

The legendary R4 card, which allows gamers to essentially help themselves to the entire Nintendo DS library, has become officially illegal to import, advertise and sell in the United Kingdom. The R4 is used by thousands of UK gamers, but as of today it is outlawed.

"Nintendo promotes and fosters game development and creativity, and strongly supports the game developers who legitimately create new and innovative applications," states Nintendo. "Nintendo initiates these actions not only on its own behalf, but also on behalf of over 1,400 video game-development companies that depend on legitimate sales of games for their survival."

It has been argued that the R4 has legitimate uses as a homebrew device, or a means of storing digital versions of games that have already been purchased. While these are ways in which the R4 can be used, the popular and most commonly boasted use has always been to simply pirate games. 

I wish I could claim this is an outrageous ruling that infringes on our freedom, but screw it. The R4 has always disturbed me, especially in a community where we complain about there not being enough "hardcore" games, yet hardcore games don't sell on the DS because a bunch of people have stolen them. I've not got some moral objection to piracy, but the wholesale theft of a console's entire library by the very gamers who demand that they be catered to just never sat well with me. 

So sod the R4.

Nintendo victory as R4 emulator is outlawed [Develop]

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Nintendo trademarks CrossPass for 3DS, q'est que c'est?

Nintendo has trademarked a bunch of 3DS-related things with the word "CrossPass" in the name, including CrossPass Mode, CrossPass Network and CrossPass Connection. 

Given the way the name sounds and the various words it's been connected with, reasonable speculation assumes that CrossPass refers to the way in which 3DS units will passively communicate with each other, exchanging information while the unsuspecting humans play games or even just carry their handhelds in their pockets. 

Known until now as simply "Tag Mode", it would appear likely that this gimmick will be called CrossPass. Of course, it's all rudderless guesswork until Nintendo confirms something, so I guess we'll just have to watch this space.

While we're at it, Nintendo trademarked some prospective game names too -- 3D Paddleball, 3D Challenge and 3D Hopper. It's almost as if they'll be 3D games or something.

Nintendo 3DS “Tag Mode” Called CrossPass Mode, 3D Paddleball In Development? [Siliconera]

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Nintendo DLC: Fly a plane... with your face!

Have you ever wanted to fly a plane? Sure, we all have! But how many of you have dreamed of flying a plane using your face? Thanks to Nintendo, you can!

This week on the DSi Shop, you'll be able to pick up Face Pilot: Fly With Your Nintendo DSi Camera! for five bucks. The game tracks your head movements using the DSi camera, allowing you to control aircraft... with your face. The technology of the future... today.

WiiWare

• Dive: The Medes Island Secret (Cosmonaut Games, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points)
• Heavy Fire: Special Operations (Teyon, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points)

Virtual Console

• Aero The Acrobat (Super NES, Sunsoft, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)

DSiWare

• Face Pilot: Fly With Your Nintendo DSi Camera! (1 player, 500 DSi Points)
• Crystal Monsters (Gameloft, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)
• Puffins: Let's Race! (Other Ocean Interactive, 1-4 players, 500 DSi Points)
• Petz Hamsterz Family (Ubisoft, 1 player, 800 DSi Points)
• Absolute BrickBuster (Tasuke, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)

Another highlight for me this week would have to be Sunsoft's Aero The Acrobat, if only because I have this thing for bats. They're like adorable rats with wings, and Sunsoft decided to put one in a super hero costume and make if fly through flaming hoops. For the kids. Gotta love the 90s.

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New Legendary Pokemon revealed, 3-on-3 battles detailed

This week's Pokemon Sunday has revealed a new legendary Pokemon for Pokemon Black/White. It's Bikutini! Or at least, that's one interpretation of the Hirigana. Some other sites are calling it "Victini", so be ready to use either spelling in your Pokemon-related Google searches.

Another interpretation of that Hirigana is "bikini". Don't look that word up on Google. Don't! I found out the hard way that bikini does not land you much in the way of Pokemon. Instead, you get pictures of women with boobs, which is not good. This is actually the second time that Nintendo has caused me to look up sexy ladies on the internet while I was innocently researching videogame information. The lead character in the Trace Memory series is named Ashley Robbins, which is also the name of a popular porn lady. That's something I did not know, and did I want to know, but Nintendo forced me to look. It's not fair!

OK, sorry for the tangent, lets get back to Bikutini. He's apparently #000 on the new Pokedex, and you can only acquire him by downloading a "Liberty Ticket". The "Liberty Ticket" will be distributed by Nintendo in Japan between September 18th and October 18th. Time sensitive Pokemon distribution! Intense!

That's not all. We've also got some details on how Pokemon 3-on-3 battles work. Sure, these details happen to be in Japanese, but there is video to go a long with it after the jump.

So what do you think of all this? Does Bikutini look too much like Pikachu? Do most Pokemon look too much like Pikachu? Seeing as Bikutini is #000 on the new Pokedex, which places it right next to the game's starters, do you think there's a chance that Bikutini will evolve like the starters do? Are 3-on-3 battles overkill? What will NintendoFanGirl have to say about all this?!?!

Tell me what you think about the Pokemans.

Pokemon Sunday - Pokemon Black/White: 'Bikutini' revealed, tons of footage and info- [Gonintendo]

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SDCC: Seriously, GoldenEye on the DS

Yes, this is a real thing. GoldenEye on the Wii is something you've probably already heard about. We expected to see it here at an Activision preview event, but we didn't expect to see a DS game. At least not yet. It was here, though, brought by developer n-Space. It was being shown off by a personal friend who works there, so I was the first to get a look at the game.

You should know right off that this DS game is not a modification of the Wii game. It's an all-new creation that ties in the best moments of the original game with current day 007 references. This means that Daniel Craig is Bond in this GoldenEye, and he actually did voicework for the title, as did Judi Dench. The game retells the movie's story, but it does it in its own way, and you could tell that the devs really wanted to do something fresh and different.

At first I got the same demo as everyone else, driving a tank through town, blasting other tanks and running over other soldiers. It wasn't the most impressive way to show off the game, but it worked well enough. The d-pad controlled the driving while the stylus aimed. I blew up tanks, cars, and eventually a helicopter. One-hit kills. Again, not quite exciting, but this is a key scene, and it's nice to see how they're thinking with this DS version.

Show me something better, I asked. My friend at n-Space did. He pulled up the Bunker stage of the game, which is the location where GoldenEye was built in the story. On this stage I was on foot, moving in first person in what could be called an exploration stage. Again, the d-pad moved while the stylus aimed. There were contextual buttons on the bottom screen, and the right bumper button fired your selected weapon. This stage actually had a bit less shooting and a lot more puzzle solving, with key cards and locked doors and the like, and made for a good level to get a feel for the game's control. It's atypical to see a mostly non-combat stage, but I like the idea of Bond being a smart problem solver, and not just a badass with a gun.

In this stage I moved through tight spaces in the dark, crawling under ducts and hopping over large pipes, all of which were automatic based on context. Combat was limited to shooting out security cameras to protect from being spotted. Doing things like kicking doors open and opening locks used gestures that made sense.

I saw these and a few other stages, all of which looked nice. None of them would blow you away visually, but neither would the Wii game, really. As before, it's all about fun first-person shooting, and from what I saw, this DS game had plenty of potential. I got the sense of playing a larger console game here, and you could tell that this is what the developers were trying to achieve. Keep in mind that this was a beta build, so a lot could change. And they haven't said a word about the included multiplayer aspect yet. Stay tuned.

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Electronic Arts: 3DS will 'sell like hotcakes'

If there's one thing I love about the 3DS, it's the giddy excitement that it seems to inspire from jaded writers and world-weary developers alike. Electronic Arts is the latest to radiate the hyperactive glee of a small child with a new toy, with COO John Schappert calling it magical. 

"The 3DS is just incredibly cool. The 3DS is magical. You put that in your hand, you look down, and all of a sudden it’s in 3D without glasses. That’s an amazing experience. I’m a huge fan," he beams. 

"I think that device is going to sell like hot cakes. I think it’s going to do incredibly well, and in typical Nintendo fashion they have re-energized the industry, yet again. I give them nothing but credit and we are excited to be supporting that platform with Madden, FIFA, and The Sims that we announced."

Yep, that's pretty much the reaction we've come to expect. 

I have never been as excited for a handheld as much as I have for the 3DS. If this thing doesn't fly off store shelves, I'll shove one up my arse. 

Nintendo's 3DS is 'Magical' and Will 'Sell Like Hotcakes,' says EA [Industry Gamers]

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SDCC: Men will get hunted in upcoming Green Lantern game

Next Summer, the Green Lantern film hits theaters. So you know what that means… Green Lantern game time! Warner Bros. Interactive has announced that it will be releasing a game tie-in called Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters next year.

Not much is known about the title other than that it will inspired by the film, which stars Ryan Reynolds as new Green Lantern Corps member Hal Jordan. The game will have players taking the role of Hal as he travels the universe, kicking thing's asses using the power of the Green Lantern ring.

No images of the game just yet, just a big ass teaser image, which you can check out in the gallery or after the jump.

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