'New Super Mario Bros.' on the way for Nintendo DS
Mario is back. Japanese gaming magazine "Famitsu" has released new details on "New Super Mario Bros." for the Nintendo DS, the first original side-scroller to star Mario since "Super Mario World."
"New Super Mario Bros." has many of the traditional Mario elements but will also introduce some new ideas. New mushroom power-ups will allow Mario to become bigger and smaller than ever before, and Mario will be able to ride the shells of the turtle-like koopas. The game will also allow two players to play simultaneously through the levels, working both cooperatively and competitively. There will also be mini-games for up to four players.
"New Super Mario Bros." will hit the Nintendo DS sometime in 2006.
Electronic Arts gets 'Simpsons' license
Ay caramba! Electronic Arts announced a long-term deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television and Gracie Films to create several video games based on "The Simpsons."
"I think this is a great opportunity for us," said "Simpsons" executive producer James L. Brooks, "primarily because it brings with it the possibility of free EA games."
The first game under the deal will be launched on next-generation systems, but EA has not yet revealed a release date or any details about its content.
New tracks featured in 50 Cent video game
Not satisfied with music as his sole creative outlet, rapper 50 Cent is currently sticking his mitts in movies ("Get Rich or Die Tryin'") and video games ("Bulletproof"). Last week Vivendi Universal games announced that "Bulletproof" will feature over eight hours of music, including 100 instrumental tracks and 13 unreleased 50 Cent tunes. Songs from 50 Cent's existing albums and by members of G-Unit will also be featured.
"50 Cent: Bulletproof" will be released on Nov. 22. Pre-orders will come with the "No Fear, No Mercy Live" DVD, featuring live performances from Europe in 2003.
'Castlevania' to get film treatment
Movies based on video games do not have a history of being very good. Even so, Crystal Sky Pictures has just acquired the film rights to long-running vampire hunting series "Castlevania," according to Variety magazine. Paul W.S. Anderson, who has previously directed game-to-film adaptations "Mortal Kombat" and "Resident Evil," is attached to direct. No cast has been announced but production will begin in mid-2006.
Crystal Sky Pictures is also working on film adaptations of fighting series "Tekken" and arcade classic "Pac-Man," set for release in 2006 and 2007, respectively.
