Crave Online's weekly gaming news returns in glorious high-definition! The goal of this feature is to update gamers on a weekly basis with the news that's important, none of the fluff. Every week there is a multitude of gaming news that hits the net. Most of it sucks ass. Who really reads gaming news to find out when the new Barbie game is getting downloadable content? I sure as hell don't, and I'm guessing you don't either. Therefore it's the job of this column to round up the best, most awesome news in the gaming industry, the stuff that makes us excited to be gamers, and condense it into one eatable, bite-size tablet of awesome. So open wide, this pill gets inserted straight up the back-end..
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Harley Quinn's Antics
Been going Batman crazy these last couple of weeks as more and more information pours in about Batman: Arkham Asylum. About a week about we were treated to a Bane centric trailer and this week we got Harley Quinn. Sporting some new duds that make her look like a cheerleader from Silent Hill, Harley still seems to be up to the same old hijicks--namely pissing off the Dark Knight. Check the trailer below for some more Kevin Conroy voice work goodness and of course, Harley herself.
Street Fighter IV Championship Mode This Week
This Friday, the 24th to be specific, Street Fighter IV will receive it's first downloadable content pack in the form of "Chamionship Mode" for free. There really isn't anything else SFIV fans need to hear besides the word "free" but for those still curious about what this Championship Mode offers, here is a little rundown: Basically Championship Mode is a way for Hardcore Street Fighter fans to compete in online tournaments where there is actual incentive to win. Competing in these events gains players Grade Points (GP) which can be used to unlock more prestigious tournaments and eventually the chance to play in matches worthy of "Championship Points." These Championship Points (CP) are basically the ultimate prize money which can be used to upload replay videos of your matches if you are one of the top 5,000 CP owners.
What this does is allow other SFIV players to watch your videos and vote on the content, whether it's funny, badass, or ridiculous. So basically, it's 100% bragging rights. But still a cool feature being unlocked for no charge.
Bionic Commando MP Demo Coming at Month's End
The end of April will see the release of a multiple player demo for Bionic Commando. However, sour news for Playstation 3 owners as they will get no such treat. So if you own both systems, and are interested in trying Bionic Commando before the game launches on May 19th, fire up your Xbox 360 at the end of the month and check the Marketplace for the Bionic COmmando demo showcasing one MP level called "Vertigo." Here is the official statement about what you'll be doing in the demo:
"Bthis is no ordinary Deathmatch. Swing through the air while showering your opponents with hot lead, use the grapple to zip to safety before a grenade explodes at your feet and laugh as enemies plummet from the tops of skyscrapers following a well aimed zip-kick to the chest!"
Sounds pretty fun.
The Beatles: Rock Band Box Art
Pictures of the cover art for The Beatles version of Rock Band have surfaced online and it looks super classy. I love the simplistic look which doesn't need to overly flashy because we are talking about the Beatles here. Quintessential rock & roll and that's exactly the message the slick cover puts across. No information has been released as of yet about what the actual track listing will be but if it focuses more on the post Sgt. Peppers era then consider me sold on launch day. I've yet to buy a version of Rock Band but I'll willingly throw down the 250 bones for the entire set. Also included will be a replica of Paul McCartney's bass and a drum set with the Beatles insignia.
Bioshock 2 Preview
The folks over at a Gamespot met up with 2k Marin to talk about the setting, plot, and characters of Bioshock 2. Over the course of this 12 minute video you get a look at how the writers approached a sequel to such a juggernaut of a game, as well as the general thought process in making the game unique and not simply a cash-in on a hot property. Check out the video below.
Banjo-Tooie Comes to XBLA
As the title implies, the Banjo-Kazooie sequel, Banjo-Tooie, will make it's XBLA debut on Wednesday, April 29th. Another bonus is that this port, done by 4J Studios, will include an enhanced frame-rate and the ability to "Stop N' Swap" with the original Banjo andthe newer Nuts & Bolts--creatively connecting all three games through item swapping.
New Assassin's Creed II Teaser Revealing Minor Details
While this latest teaser tells a little more about the back-story to Assassin's Creed II, the developers at Ubisoft are still pretty tight-lipped about how the entire Renaissance movement is tainted in blood from behind the shadows. But the teaser does it's job--excite and tease. Check it out below if you haven't already seen it.
