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Week in Review: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Dated, PSP Firmware Update, New DS Color, and more!

Week in Review: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Dated, PSP Firmware Update, New DS Color, and more!

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We’re not sure if it’s because of the X Games or simply the time of year, but Nintendo released only one game for the Virtual Console. 1080 Snowboarding for the Nintendo 64 became available on Monday and will cost you 1,000 Wii points.

Microsoft claimed that they’re presently the big dogs in the console wars. According to Microsoft market research, 360 owners purchase an average of seven games per unit sold. This figure is known as the attachment rate, and seven per unit is a record.

As the new World of Warcraft expansion nears, we were treated to a partial bestiary of the new frozen continent of Northrend. Some of the beasties that will be included are Nerubian Viziers, Plague Eruptors, Shovel Tusks, Darkfallen, Ice Trolls, Proto-Dragons, Magnataurs, Wendigos, Flesh Giants, Jormungar Wyrms. The Wrath of the Lich King looks to be just as dynamic as their other expansions, so get ready to bundle up and sharpen your blade.

For all of you Civ-heads out there, Firaxis announced that the Wii version of Civilization: Revolution will be put on an indefinite hold. That’s kind of ironic considering the Wii’s former codename. The game has not been completely scrapped for the system, but it will have to wait and see how the title sells on the 360, PS3, and DS first. Sid’s hedging his bets and making sure the game resonates with console owners before dumping more development dollars into the venture.

If you didn’t purchase Burnout: Paradise because you’ve been waiting for a more realistic racer, then Sony has the game for you. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue has been given a date and a price. The ultra-detailed racing game will release on April 17 th , 2008 for both download and conventional media. The game will run at 60 fps with 1080p definition. It will only cost $39.99 too!

If you have become bored with the World of Warcraft and need something new to keep you home on a Friday night, then Codemasters may have the answer for you. Jumpgate: Evolution is a futuristic sci-fi MMO that will take from one side of the galaxy to the other in search of fame, danger, and money. The complex worlds and relationships are sure to engage players who like to brawl in epic battles, or those who like to trade their way to commercial glory.

The PSP Firmware update 3.90 released and it turned your PSP 2000 into a telephone. The new Skype support, additional PlayStation Network game compatibility, and the ability to listen to internet radio are turning the device into an electronic Swiss Army knife.

So you want the Wii to be a bit edgier? Fatal Frame is coming exclusively to your in-home alley. The horror title has a long history of scaring the pants off Japanese gamers. The land of the rising sun is slated to receive the title this summer. There is no confirmation of a US release, but with major backing from Nintendo this should be a marquis title for the little system that could.

Talk about value! Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 fans were treated to an Xbox LIVE expansion for only $10 that was an absolute must-buy. The expansion included five new co-op missions and a total of nine maps in all. They also gave away a weapons upgrade pack for free. This kind of post-launch support is exactly what gamers want. Keep kicking out the value!

If you think you are really good at videogames, why don’t you try to become a professional? The CGS just got picked up for a second season and the champion Chicago Chimera won a cool million for their efforts. That’s serious money! You’ll have to be really good though and actually impress one of the six GMs. That’s right, you’ll actually have to participate in a combine weekend that will test you gaming abilities. If you show well you might actually get drafted.

EA SPORTS is taking another shot at the squared ring. Peter Moore announced the 2008 release of FaceBreaker. The game is going to be an arcade-style boxing title that should appeal to the masses. The title will be complete with face deformation and quirky characters. It may be a better stress reliever than Bikram Wii!

Nintendo also announced that they will be releasing a new color for the DS. The Cobalt/Black version should turn heads and fly off shelves when it hits stores on February 10 th . It’s the seventh color choice for the DS. Fellow DS colors are Polar White, Coral Pink, Onyx, Crimson/Black, and the limited edition Gold and Metallic Rose.

Finally, EA Chief Executive John Riccitiello confirmed in a conference call that Spore will release before the holidays of 2008 and Rock Band will ship for the Wii. Spore was initially slated to ship in April of 2009, but now it looks like it will be available in the first part of their fiscal year. The inclusion of Rock Band on the Wii will allow the long speculation to end and let Wii owners fulfill their rock star fantasies. No word on an actual release date, however.

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