Pre-orders for the much anticipated Rock Band 2, which will debut exclusively on Xbox 360, have been increasing dramatically as we near the September 14 release date. According to sales data from Amazon.com, the Harmonix’s Rock Band 2 Special Edition had an increase of 78 percent in sales. The stand-alone title has also had an increase of 72 percent in sales.

As the sequel to the successful original Rock Band, the new RB2 have already released their songlist, which comprises of notable musical talents, such as Bob Dylan and Blondie. In addition, all previously downloaded music tracks from the original Rock Band will be compatible with the new RB2.

Rock Band 2 will face many new rivals this year as Activision’s Guitar Hero World Tour and Konami’s new Rock Revolution will be released later this year to challenge RB2.

The Rock Band 2 Special Edition Bundle has a retail price of $199.99 while the stand-alone title has a retail tag price of $59.99.

- Geoff

[Source:PunchJump]

The Xbox 360 has gone from last place to first place recently in the Japanese video game market thanks to the new game Tales of Vesperia. It’s remarkable how one game can push a console so much, how will Sony counter this attack? We’ll see in the next coming weeks.

Check out the graph from kotaku.com with information regarding console sales in Japan:

-Ray

[Source: kotaku]

When is too much time a little too much? Too Human, the new action RPG from Silicon Knights, will finally be released this week after ten grueling years since the plan for the video game was erected. But with so much time invested in research and development, one should expect this game to reach the pinnacle of all RPGs. From the demo and online video samples, nothing seems to stand out. As the first installment of a planned trilogy, lot of similarities can be seen from previous RPGs such as God of War and the Final Fantasy anthology. So what differentiates this RPG from others?

When the player assumes the role of Baldur, a Cybernetic God, the player is responsible for the protection of mankind. What the public has been waiting for is the graphics and the gameplay of the video game. One can expect a nonstopping bombardment of action which utilizes flawless high flying hand/sword battles and is combined with long-range firearm combat. Players will have the chance to play online through Xbox Live. With Xbox Live, two players would have the opportunity to participate in co-operative gaming as they both try to save all of mankind.

If you still find yourself asking what makes this different from the other countless number of RPGs, do not fret. We’re thinking the same thing. There seems to be nothing special about the game despite all the time that was invested in creating the game. But, will it be a hit with gamers? Only time can tell if the game will turn out to be a success. But so far, all we have learned is that time is the only thing the game has going.

- Geoff

[Source: XboxFanBoy]

After the Madden ’09 Brett Favre cover fiasco EA has announced that a free cover will be made available for gamers. The new cover will be downloadable and available at easports.com and will show Brett Favre in a Jets uniform. Madden NFL ’09 hit store shelves on August 12 and had Favre in a Packers uniform as it was thought he would be returning to the Packers this season. A roster update on Xbox live will also have Favre on the Jets.

-Ray

[Source: xboxlive]

Madden NFL ’09 just hit store shelfs but a major error has already been discovered on the collector’s edition menu screen. Some wiseguy spelled Brett Favre’s name wrong! This is just another blunder to add to the list after Favre switching teams making the current Madden ’09 cover incorrect. Just another thing to worry about at EA other then the legendary Madden curse.

-Ray

[Source: xboxfocus]

With the huge success of the first Rock Band game it’s no surprise the second one would be on the way soon. 86 of the over 100 songs that are planned to be in the game have been revealed. The following list is said to be more than likely the official song lists. Harmonix has also said that 20 more will be released for free after the game has been released. Some of my favorite songs are included, I can’t wait to rock out to Rock Band 2!

Below is the full list, broken down by decade:

1960s

· Norman Greenbaum “Spirit in the Sky”

· The Who “Pinball Wizard”

1970s

· AC/DC “Let There Be Rock”

· Allman Brothers “Ramblin’ Man”

· Bad Company “Shooting Star”

· Blondie “One Way or Another”

· Bob Dylan “Tangled Up in Blue”

· Cheap Trick “Hello There”

· Elvis Costello “Pump it Up”

· Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way”

· Jethro Tull “Aqualung”

· Journey “Anyway You Want It”

· Kansas “Carry On Wayward Son”

· Rush “The Trees”

Read the rest of this entry »

The much anticipated Microsoft 60GB Xbox 360 console is now available online at Amazon for $349.99 with the option for free shipping. Included with the Xbox 360 Console is 1 Wireless Xbox 360 Controller, 60GB Hard Drive, Wired Headset, Combination Component/Composite A/V Cable, and Silver Xbox Live Service. The 60GB Xbox 360 also supports 1080i HD and 16:9 ratio widescreen format.

-Ray

While Angelina Jolie is busy making babies and raising her family Alison Carrol of the UK will be stepping in as the new Lara Croft. A former gymnast, 23 year old Alison from Croydon is leaving her receptionist gig as Lara Croft where she will be in TV commercials and making TV and event appearances. She is currently going through an intense training regiment to help her become the new Lara Croft. Tomb Raider: Underworld will be the first Tomb Raider game for the newer consoles and is sure to be as popular as the last ones where.
-Ray

[Source: planetxbox360 ]

Microsoft announced that they have struck a deal with Netflix that will allow Xbox Live Gold subscribers to watch movies online for free. The new service that gives users a movie subscription is expected to be rolled out after a redesign of the Xbox 360’s interface. This new service will allow friends of the Xbox Gold Live subscribers to watch these movies as well.

In addition to the Netflix deal, Microsoft confirmed a deal with NBC-Universal to offer their catalog on the Xbox Video Marketplace for download. TV shows will be available as well, such as The Office and Heros. These new deals gives Microsoft an edge over iTunes by offering a subscription service that Apple doesn’t currently offer.

-Ray

[Sources: electronista ]

Earlier reports said that the Xbox 360 Elite consoles would come with an HDMI port, someone on Shacknews is saying otherwise however. One of their readers bought a less expensive Xbox 360 Pro model and noticed it included a HDMI port! Microsoft has confirmed that newer Xbox 360’s do come with HDMI ports as a way to compete with other consoles, so apparently this isn’t just a fluke. Some are also wondering if these new HDMI-equipped Xbox 360’s also include the 65nm chips which are suppose to run a lot cooler than the 90nm chips, Microsoft has yet to confirm or deny this. Well it looks like Microsoft is serious about competing with the Blu-ray playing PS3, but is their attempts too little and too late?

-Ray

[Source: gamespot ]