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Gamer Herald - April 2008

The Persian Prince returns to gaming consoles

Prince of Persia PS3 DS
John's mates told him the party was strictly fancy dress

THE popular Prince of Persia franchise will return to gaming consoles later this year, making its next generation debut on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC.


Ubisoft will also release a Prince of Persia game specifically designed for the Nintendo DS, featuring an entirely new storyline and new characters.

At this stage, Wii owners will miss out on the new title.

The game will be developed by Ubisoft's Montreal studio, who developed Assassin's Creed and the previous Prince of Persia Sands of Time trilogy.

Ubisoft claim that the new title, will rejuvenate the action-adventure genre in addition to introducing a brand-new illustrative art style.

Since Prince of Persia Sands of Time's launch in 2003, Prince of Persia has won over 30 awards worldwide, including the highly coveted Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2003's Console Platform Best Action/Adventure Game of the Year for Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time.

To date, the Prince of Persia franchise has sold approximately 10.3 million units worldwide.

Check www.princeofpersiagame.com for more details.
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Overlord Raises Hell one more time

April 28th 2008 05:50
Unleash the devil inside this June...

Overlord Raising Hell PS3 screenshot
"Now kids, have patience - the line for the Teacup ride isn't that long"


OVERLORD is back, this time on the PlayStation 3.


The action game in which you, the demonic overlord, control a mob of subordinates to do thy bidding and wreak havoc on villagers, is coming to PlayStation 3 in June including the original game released in 2007, plus exclusive PS3 content, and additional Raising Hell levels.

Overlord: Raising Hell, will feature cooperative online pillaging split-screen head-to-head slaughter, the PLAYSTATION 3 system edition will also be enhanced with detailed visuals, a top-spec audio system with 7.1 surround sound and feature additions, such as the new on-screen mini-map.

Having played the original game on the PC, I can tell you this is definitely one 'hell' of a game.

Think of it like an evil version of the Gamecube's Pikmin, and loaded with character and amazing graphics.

Hopefully PS3 owners who missed the other versions cotton onto this one.

For the new Overlord: Raising Hell trailer, released today, click here.
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Gaming night on a 51cm television

Gaming on a crappy tv - it's still possible
Ah, low-res, interlaced glory. The memories, the memories...


A cold winter's night and a copy of Mario Kart Wii sounded like a good idea at the time - until Gamer Herald staff Shaun Inguanzo and Glen Atwell discovered that the 32 inch LCD and 60 inch plasma normally reserved for gaming were both occupied by respective family members.

It was then time to step into the twilight zone, back into a forgotten era of gaming - when CRTs ruled the world. Here are their impressions of gaming on a 51cm television.


SHAUN: One thing that strikes me about the Wii is its ability to still look good on a 51cm television, using the lowly AV inputs.

For some reason there's something attractive about it, and I can't put my finger on it. But fire up a 360 or PS3 and the whole thing is turned on its head - it looks dog ugly on a tiny television.

Mario Kart Wii was the perfect game to play on a 51cm television - large characters, vibrant, colourful worlds, and old school gameplay - it didn't matter that it wasn't widescreen, or 480p, or something more special like Halo 3 running at 720p.

It was still insane, awesome fun. It reminded me of old times, like playing the N64 on a 34cm television at a holiday caravan park with friends - it worked, and for some reason we didn't mind.

A far cry from today, wheere I know people who complain about anything less than 40 inches!

Gaming retro style with Mario Kart Wii
Shaun takes it to the rest of the world in Mario Kart Wii. Notice the forward lean in a bid to comprehend what is happening on the tiny box.


GLEN: It is amazing how far technology, and therefore our gaming expectations, have come since the glory days of Super Nintendo and N64.

Remember playing four-player split screen Goldeneye on a dodgy 34cm television in the garage? The bulky controller was actually bigger than my 'corner' on the TV.

Yet here we are, in the world of next-gen, still playing Mario Kart on tube televisions. Surprisingly, it has never looked or felt better. As Shaun mentioned, the current crop of consoles have been designed for use on modern LCDs and plasma panels.

But somehow the Wii still manages to look good on a crap screen.

It is the Nintendo factor; bright colours, cartoon animations and simple rendering.

Ask my mum, she plays Super Mario Galaxy on a 51cm television and has managed to collect 75 stars (and counting).

If anyone wants to know why the Nintendo Wii is still walking off the shelves at retailers all over the world, take a look at the pictures from Gamer Herald's retro gaming night.

We're having fun, and it's as simple as that.

Cheat sheets in clear view
We went so old school that beneath the tele were some cheat sheets - hand-written on the back of important legal documents - for Super Paper Mario.


SHAUN: Yep - at the end of the day, that's all you ask of a game.

I found it rather refreshing to take a break from being a graphics junkie sitting in front of my 32 inch LCD and tisk-tisking at aliasing when I should instead be more worried about how well a game plays.

It highlights how important gameplay is in video games compared to graphics, because as long as something looks decent, and is fun to play, you'll buy it and enjoy it.

I love Mario Kart Wii so much that I've actually become addicted to the game - too many late nights over the past week, and too many time trials in a bid to become the best in Australia.

All in low res, lower-poly count glory. I recommend you, the readers, try a gaming night on a crappy television like we did. Makes you appreciate how far we've come.

GLEN: Don't forget the retro gaming snacks. Toobs, Wizz Fizz and Red Skins will help you to 'regurgitate' many childhood memories!
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Pro Evolution Soccer Wii Review

April 28th 2008 00:44
A soccer gaming Wii-volution awaits

Pro Evolution Wii passing
Defensive players stand little chance against precision passing

[ Click here to read more ]
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Club Nintendo arrives in Australia

April 24th 2008 03:04
Rare collectibles and other Nintendo goodies for Aussie gamers

club nintendo
Itsa me, Club Nintendo

[ Click here to read more ]
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Grand Theft Auto IV to be bundled with 40GB Playstation 3

GTA 4 PS3 console bundle
The real definition of a 'bundle of joy'

[ Click here to read more ]
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Harry Potter zaps himself onto every console in the world

Harry Potter Half Blood Prince game
Wedgies, chinese burns and black magic - Barry Trotter knew all the school yard moves

[ Click here to read more ]
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This is not a drill, soldier

Battlefield Bad Company Xbox PS3
The peaceful protestors had no chance.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Prizefighter trailer hits the web

April 22nd 2008 22:48
IF YOU enjoyed the likes of Fight Night Round 3, then you'll be happy to know that 2K Games is getting ready to unleash its own boxing beast.

And it's looking mighty good


[ Click here to read more ]
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Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack Run-Down

April 22nd 2008 22:17
IF YOU haven't yet downloaded the Legendary Map Pack for Halo 3, then you don't know what you're missing out on.

A few new maps never goes astray in an online game, as they increase the longevity of the title


[ Click here to read more ]
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A good reason why you shouldn't leave the sofa

POOR guy - stuck in a New York lift for 40 hours, when that night, in 1999, he was probably on his way home to fire up the latest PC FPS release, System Shock 2


[ Click here to read more ]
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Xbox Live update

April 22nd 2008 02:55
The latest Arcade and Original titles!

HERE'S a wrap up of the latest downloadable titles to hit Xbox Live


[ Click here to read more ]
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NBA 08 - PS3 - Review

April 22nd 2008 01:45
Basketball at its best

NBA 08 PS3 Xbox review
Not entirely impressive, but its what inside that counts!

[ Click here to read more ]
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The Riddler joins Lego Batman

April 22nd 2008 00:37
The Riddler to be in new Lego game

riddler lego batman video game
"What weighs six ounces, sits in a tree, and is very dangerous? A sparrow with a machine gun!"

[ Click here to read more ]
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Mario Kart Wii REVIEW

April 21st 2008 03:37
It's back, and better than ever


[ Click here to read more ]
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GTA IV Special Edition

April 20th 2008 05:45
Sweaty palms rejoice! Grand Theft Auto IV hits store shelves in just nine days.

The 29 April release date will be the culmination of weeks of waiting for those who had the foresight to pre-order the very limited 'Special Edition


[ Click here to read more ]
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The Sims sells 100 million

April 19th 2008 14:55
Give thanks to the series that got your girlfriend into gaming

THE SIMS franchise has now sold over 100 million units worldwide, according to publisher Electronic Arts


[ Click here to read more ]
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A FREE and downloadable open beta of Metal Gear Online is now available on the Australian Playstation Store.

Using the same technology that is fueling the Metal Gear Solid's forthcoming single player experience, Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Online is now in public beta stage and will be live from 21 April until 6 May


[ Click here to read more ]
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Wiicade: where Wii = Frii

April 19th 2008 13:09
The (second) best things in life are free

IT'S possible to play free games on your Nintendo Wii providing you have an Internet connection and the Opera browser


[ Click here to read more ]
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Classic RPG hits Wii Virtual Console

April 18th 2008 07:07
A small dose of classic gaming this week

phantasy star 3 iii wii virtual console
Relive the gaming goodness that once came inside this Mega Drive box. Or not - it's up to you

[ Click here to read more ]
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New SingStar songs 18 April

April 18th 2008 04:29
SINGSTAR PS3 fans will be happy to know that the SingStore has received an update today.
The 18 April Singstore update includes the following songs:

[ Click here to read more ]
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Classic gaming made easy on Nintendo Wii

NINTENDO is celebrating the 200th game to hit the Wii Virtual Console library in Australia after the introduction of yet another classic gaming console to its service: the Sega Master System


[ Click here to read more ]
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Shock in your jocks as we unbox

HERE at Gamer Herald, we love receiving fancy-pants PR material. After recently posting details of the new Dualshock 3 controller for Playstation 3, an interesting package was awaiting me on my desk this morning


[ Click here to read more ]
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Battle Mode: Mario Kart Wii feature

April 18th 2008 01:37
Prepare yourself for more late nights with the mates....

BATTLE Mode is back, albeit with some changes


[ Click here to read more ]
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Online impressions: Mario Kart Wii

April 17th 2008 06:33
The best karting experience is even better online

TAKING Mario Kart Wii online is as easy, and as satisfying, as whacking the snooze button on your alarm clock


[ Click here to read more ]
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Everybody's Golf: World Tour

April 17th 2008 06:08
Zany styling and addictive game play ensures Everybody's Golf: World Tour hits the fairway every time.

Everybody's Golf: World Tour PS3 review
More colourful gadgets than your local adult shop

[ Click here to read more ]
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Professor 'I have a fun game named after me', I assume?

OUTSTANDING production quality, a story-driven adventure, and over 130 brain teasing puzzles make Professor Layton and the Curious Village one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences currently available


[ Click here to read more ]
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First Impressions: Mario Kart Wii

April 17th 2008 02:05
Nintendo's mascot racer returns and we're playing it!

[IMAGE="http://www.gamerherald.com/images/mario-kart-wii-online.jpg" width="400


[ Click here to read more ]
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Dualshock controller for PS3

April 17th 2008 01:57
Dualshock 3 controller arrives for Playstation 3

Dualshock 3 controller for Playstation 3
Random confession: I love pictures of packaging

[ Click here to read more ]
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Playstation Store Relaunched

April 16th 2008 12:14
In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, the Playstation 3 team launched a covert, streamlined assault on our online senses.

Make any sense


[ Click here to read more ]
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God of War 2

April 15th 2008 11:20
God of War 2 - a worth sequel pulls every punch

God of War 2 review
God of War 2 is a genuine sequel

[ Click here to read more ]
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Super Mario Galaxy

April 15th 2008 11:07
Super Mario Galaxy: A giant leap for platformer kind

Super Mario Galaxy review
Super Mario Galaxy - A Wii-volution in platformers

[ Click here to read more ]
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Gamer Herald Relaunched

April 15th 2008 03:19
Attention gamers!

Gamer Herald will soon be officially relaunched with a new look and regular updates


[ Click here to read more ]
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