Three new releases took the top three spots on the video game software sales charts for the week of 14th to 20th of May, according to tracking firm Media Create. In top spot with sales of 78 thousand copies was Shining Wind (PS2), a new entry in the long running Shining RPG series from Sega. Nintendo’s Ouendan! 2 (NDS), the sequal to the Japanese equivalent of Elite Beat Agents, entered the charts in second place with 71 thousand copies sold - a performance far better than the first game. Atlus rounds out the top three with another RPG on the PS2 in the form of Odin Sphere which managed just over 59 thousand copies sold.

Last week’s top seller, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War, dropped to fourth place and 39 thousand copies sold. Meanwhile, Nintendo’s Brain Training 2, which is due to hit European and American shores soon, continues to sell after nearly 18 months and took 7th place on the chart.

Another longstanding title is New Super Mario Bros in at number nine, while Wii Sports and Wii Play continue their thriving top ten career at positions 5 and 8 respectively. Meanwhile, Nintendo’s Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree doesn’t look like it will match the success experienced by its handheld sibling, this week dropping down to 10th spot with 133 thousand copies sold in total while the DS version has sold over 1 million.

On the hardware front DS sales dropped by 50 thousand from last week, but it’s not likely to be indicative for future weeks as it seems to oscillate based on supplies. The Wii held steady at 52 thousand, and indications are that it is also constrained by supplies. Meanwhile the PSP dropped a few thousand to 27.5 thousand units in the week while the PS2 and PS3 held very steady at 11 thousand and 9 thousand units respectively.

Hardware chart

Software chart

Selected upcoming titles

Special thanks to: Play-asia.com, NeoGAF and Google for the translations of Japanese game titles

Nintendo of Europe today added three classics to the Wii Shop Channel.

This week’s new releases are:

Super Mario Bros. 2 is a 1989 NES classic. Join Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad as they go for a picnic which doesn’t quite go according to plan when they end up in the mysterious land of Subcon. Obliged to save it from the curse of filthy frog tyrant, Wart, players must use each of the four main characters and their own special ability to battle through seven worlds and free the land from Wart’s evil grasp! Download it for 500 Wii Points.

Mach Rider is a 1987 NES classic. Set in 2112, Earth has been invaded by evil quad bikers who are bent on destroying everything. Players assume the role of Mach Rider, the world’s last hope, and travel from area to area destroying any quad bikers they encounter. The game features a level design mode enabling players to create their own courses. Unique to the Virtual Console version, players can save these creations to enjoy over and over again. Download it for 500 Wii Points.

Blazing Lazers is a 1989 vertical scrolling shoot ‘em up Turbografx classic. Featuring nine levels of non-stop shooting action in the darkest depths of space, players can choose from four weapon types including bullets, waves and rings, each of which can be upgraded making them even more deadly. Download it for 600 Wii Points.

For the first time ever Star Wars fans will be able to play through the events of all six Star Wars movies in one videogame. That’s right Jedis, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Star Wars, LucasArts has announced that LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga will be coming to the Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 this fall. Developer Traveller’s Tales is also creating a new DS version and has confirmed that LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga will add new characters, new levels as well as new features.

“As we usher in the next generation of videogame consoles, LucasArts is leading the way in family entertainment,” said Jim Ward, president of LucasArts. “We’re proud of the phenomenal success of LEGO Star Wars II and how it delivered all the fun, humour and action of the Original Trilogy to the entire family. Now, with The Complete Saga, we’re excited to finally offer the entire saga playable in one package for the first time ever.”

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

The game will encourage creative thinking as players are challenged to solve puzzles requiring teamwork. The Star Wars story will be completed through the addition of new levels such as Episode II’s never before played high speed chase of bounty hunter Zam Wessel. The game features new playable characters such as Watto, Zam Wessel and Boss Nass, bringing the total to over 160 characters. Also look out for new game features such as enhanced Force powers, new power-ups and a new Challenge Mode. The Character Customizer has been upgraded to include all Prequel Trilogy characters for the first time ever as well as expand its customization options beyond those is LEGO Star Wars II. Players will be able to create cross-trilogy characters such as Han Windu and Lando Amidala.

The Complete Saga features levels from the original LEGO Star Wars which have been revamped to meet the game play evolutions of LEGO Star Wars II. Every Prequel Trilogy charater, even those without the force, can build and jump into and out of vehicles they create for the first time. Two levels (“Mos Espa Podrace” and “Gunship Cavalry”) have been redesigned to encourage the open vehicle game play of LEGO Star Wars II. The game features new bonus levels as well as 10 additional Bounty Hunter Missions.

Platform enhancements

Tom Stone, director of the game at Traveller’s Tales, said, “LucasArts was an amazing partner on LEGO Star Wars II, and working with them on The Complete Saga continues to be a great experience. We’re also thrilled to be focusing on next-generation consoles and creating content that plays to the strength of each system.”

The Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game will see the premiere of online two player cooperative play as well as new high-resolution LEGO models and characters, new environment graphics and special effects. The Wii version will see players controlling the characters in new ways thanks to the motion-sensitive inputs. The DS version has been created from the ground up and incorporates touch screen action and challenges.

The first racing game of the Xbox Live Arcade will soon be making tracks on Xbox 360s. Mad Tracks recently passed Microsoft’s final certification and this ‘half Micro Machines-style, power-up-laden arcade racing and half silly, action-based multiplayer challenge’ recently appeared on the XBLA section of Xbox.com with the release date listed as ‘to be announced.’ My money is that it will be racing across 360s on the 30th of May.

Don’t get even, get Mad!

Prepare to race toy cars powered by spring engines in this action-packed toy-car racing game. Players can earn up to 12 achievements as they race in 45 challenges, with the races being set in everyday places like toy stores, mini-golf parks and restaurants. Compete in six races and 9 mini-games and choose between twelve different cars and 12 different power-ups including rockets and oil slicks.

Rev it up!

Mad Tracks features multiple modes including Arcade Mode which features both solo and split screen, Championship Mode and 4 player Live Mode which is complete with in-game audio chat, multiple leaderboards and weekly resets. Players can even race against friends as they compete on a multiplayer split screen.

Players can download 2 complete challenges for free in the try before you buy demo as well as 2 free Gamerpics or take on the racing challenge in the full download. In addition 2 new downloadable add-ons of 15 challenges each will be available.

The anticipated WWII FPS by Midway, Hour of Victory, will be live and playable next week via Xbox Live Marketplace. Midway has confirmed that it will release a free single player teaser demo on the 30th of May that will provide ‘a glimpse of the game’s cinematic and frenetic game play.’ Hour of Victory is set to be released in June.

Players can expect a sneak peak into the North African level in the Hour of Victory demo. Players will be able to pick any one of the three characters in the game: the Covert Operative who specializes in stealth and sabotage; a British Commando who specializes in frontal assault; or an Army Ranger who specializes in sniping and demolitions.

Hour of Victory sees players choosing the skills and game play style as they play a key role in the pivotal battles from the European and North African arenas of World War II. Whether it be sneaking into enemy territory as a covert operative, storming the gates as a British Commando or sniping as an Army Ranger, players will need to use each character’s attributes to fulfill the overall objective. Players will also be able to control any vehicles which may be on the battlefield.

Red Mile Entertainment has announced exclusive worldwide license rights to develop and publish video games based on the Sin City series of graphic novels by Frank Miller.

“Sin City enjoys a broad and devoted following. Its crime noir settings, richly detailed characters, hyper-real action sequences, and engaging stories provide an outstanding groundwork for video games,” said Chester Aldridge, CEO of Red Mile Entertainment. “Red Mile is enthusiastic about working with Frank Miller to create a franchise that is worthy of this great property.”

“Taking Sin City into the world of video games is very exciting – games offer a whole new way to bring audiences into Sin City,” said Frank Miller. “The Red Mile team has impressed me with its dedication to creating Sin City video games that will remain true to Sin City as I’ve always seen it.”

Although popular in its original comic book and graphic novel forms, Sin City shot to fame in 2005 with the release of the film by the same name starring Bruce Willis and Jessica Alba. Although financial details of the deal were not disclosed, Red Mile did confirm that Frank Miller would be collaborating on the games. Game details and platform announcements to follow shortly we hope.

Codemasters has confirmed that the Colin McRae: Dirt playable demo is now available to download from Xbox Live Marketplace for the Xbox 360. It has also been confirmed that Colin McRae: Dirt will be released on the 15th of June across all PAL territories on the Xbox 360 and that a PS3 version following shortly after.

Colin McRae: Dirt sees players going off-road in mud-splattered races but for now fans will have to sate their dirt appetites with three races now available in the demo. The Xbox 360 demo features Crossover, Hill Climb and C.O.R.R. (Championship Off-Road Racing) events.

The Crossover race sees players competing against Colin McRae himself on Germany’s Avelsbachring in a pair of Subaru Impreza WRX STI spec C’s, McRae’s car complete with his 2006 Summer X-Games No Fear livery. Next we head off to the Bark River Off Road Raceway in Michigan where nine other racers will compete in the C.O.R.R. competition in V8 650hp buggies. Players will compete in a Hill Climb event in a Mitsubishi Evo IX, racing the final 1000 feet of Windy Point in Arizona.

Ubisoft recently announced Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 exclusively for the Wii and DS. But what do these crazy bunnies have planned this time? Nothing short of invading planet Earth in ‘a party comedy game that is guaranteed to be even crazier and funnier than the first with even more insane games to play’ of course! Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 is currently in development at Ubisoft’s Paris Studio and is scheduled to be released this fall.

“The first Rayman Raving Rabbids was a huge critical and commercial success worldwide,” said John Parkes, director of marketing for Ubisoft. “Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 is poised to continue that success, as gamers can’t seem to get enough of those crazy bunnies; they’re just so popular!”

The first game saw them invading Rayman’s world but the Rabbids now have a new objective - they have set up base in a shopping mall and have begun training to take over planet earth! The Rabbids try to study human behaviour, mimicking human’s actions in funny, illogical ways. To prepare for world domination the Rabbids must complete various missions but once again they do not factor in Rayman who infiltrates their camp disguised as one of them and attempts to foil their plans and save Earth from their crazy plan.

Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 boasts 60 new games that spoof popular culture and promise to be even wackier than the games featured in the first game. Combine this zaniness with the unique Wii Remote and you are sure to discover new ways to play with eight types of game play including shaking, precision, dexterity and balance.

Players will embark on a tour around the world as Rayman defends planet Earth from the Rabbids. Prepare to travel to five different locations including the USA, Europe and Asia where players will challenge the Rabbids in the local environments. Players can also look forward to customizing Rayman and the Rabbids with more than 110 items. Dress Rayman and create your own Rabbids with a combination of skins, hats, accessories and clothes. Enjoy a multiplayer Rayman experience as you play cooperatively or battle up to three friends in all of the games which you unlock in the single player campaign.

In a surprise move, Ubisoft revealed that the FPS Haze would debut solely on the PS3 this fall. Ubisoft’s fact sheet listed only the PS3 and did not mention the PC and Xbox 360 versions and although the American Haze site still displays the Xbox 360 and PC logos, the UK Haze site only displays the PS3 logo, leading to speculation that it may be PS3 exclusive. However, Ubisoft have confirmed with Gamespot that ‘Haze is leading on PS3, but no exclusivity for any platform has been officially announced.’

Developed by Free Radical, Haze sees players assuming the role of a new recruit, Sergeant Shane Carpenter, in the privately run Mantel army. The game is set in 2048 where governments have outsourced military operations to Private Military Corporations (PMC).

Mantel Global Industries is the leading PMC, offering an arsenal of vehicles, weapons and Nectar, a performance enhancing bio-medical support. Mantel troopers are feared by terrorists, dictators and the corporation’s political enemies. Players find themselves in a war-torn country with orders to fight the Promise Hand, a cruel rebel faction. Over the next three days your life will change forever.

Players will fight the Promise Hand using Mantel’s resources, the most advanced gear, the fastest vehicles, the deadliest weapons and Nectar. Players will be able to boost their fighting abilities with Nectar Focus, Nectar Foresight, Nectar Perception and Melee Blast, using these skills to detect and avoid danger and deliver close quarter powerful attacks. Players can also look forward to engaging in multiplayer modes for online battles including four player co-op action.

Ubisoft has revealed that Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction will be released on the Xbox 360 during quarter 4. The next installment in the series sees Sam Fisher on the run from the government he once served, a fugitive forced to improvise and adapt in order to survive.

Using the environment and crowds to create diversions and deter enemies, players must react to changing situations and use the environment as a weapon. Expect to engage in close combat and intense gun battles in this stealth action game as you build an underground network of allies who help you acquire gadgets as you struggle to uncover the mystery of who wants you dead.

Prepare to play Splinter Cell like never before as the world around you becomes your inventory where every object is available to use in this new improvisation-based game play. However, enemies will also use the environment as well as their resources to track you down as they actively search for you. You will need to think quickly and adapt if you are to survive.

Players can blend in with the crowd to go undetected or cause a commotion thereby creating a diversion. Choose between active stealth and heavy force to escape. Players will need to use their underground connections to acquire black market gadgets and weapons. However, players can also complete objectives by improvising and using consumer grade gears in ways they were not intended.

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction also supports multiplayer game play where players can elect to play with or against friends in a civilian crowd.

Ubisoft has announced that Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 will be Nintendo exclusive, set to be released on the Wii and DS this fall.

In a sequel that is ‘crazier and funnier than the first’ with ‘more insane games,’ the Rabbids set up base in a shopping mall and begin training to take over planet earth. To prepare for world domination the Rabbids must complete various missions but once again they do not factor in Rayman who infiltrates their camp disguised as one of them and attempts to foil their plans.

SCEE today announced that the latest version of the PS3 firmware has become available. Version 1.80 features upscaling of PlayStation and PS2 games as well as DVD movies up to 1080p HD resolution, remote play on PSP via the internet and the enabling of DLNA transfer of media content. PS3 owners can upgrade their PS3 with the Version 1.80 firmware from the 24th of May.

The ability to upscale DVDs to HD quality means that PS3 owners can now enjoy their DVDs in full 1080p HD quality, provided of course it is viewed through a compatible HD television. PS3 owners can also enjoy their PS2 and PlayStation games in 1080p HD as these can also be upscaled.

Version 1.80 also allows users to enjoy remote play on their PSP across the internet which allows them to access their PS3 anywhere in the world provided a broadband internet connection is available. PS3 owners will only be able to use remote play once they have acquired Version 1.80 as well as PSP firmware Version 3.50 which will be available at the end of May.

Users on a home network can view and play media content (such as images, music and video) which is stored on their DLNA enabled devices such as PCs and laptops which are in their houses on their PS3. Other enhancements include the ability to print photo images stored in PS3’s hard disk or inserted storage media to a selection of Epson printers.

Activision today released new details of the third installment in the popular Guitar Hero franchise. With the press release simply touting it as ‘the next Guitar Hero,’ it is unclear whether it will still be called Guitar Hero 3. Published by RedOctane and developed by Neversoft, the game will be available this fall on the PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii.

Guitar Hero fans can look forward to shredding on Gibson Guitar’s Les Paul and Kramer models. Players can look forward to new features and content including a new multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, boss battles, unlockable content as well as authentic rock venues. Online multiplayer game modes have also been expanded meaning Guitar Heroes worldwide can compete head-to-head and downloadable content will be offered on multiple platforms.

The following seven original tracks will be featured:

Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones)

Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins)

Sabotage (by Beastie Boys)

The Metal (by Tenacious D)

My Name is Jonas (by Weezer)

Knights of Cydonia (by Muse)

Cult of Personality (by Living Colour)

These four covers will also be featured:

Rock And Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss)

School’s Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper)

Slow Ride (as made famous by Fog Hat)

Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)

Guitar Hero fans will be ecstatic to learn that new wireless guitar controllers will be available for each platform. The exclusive Gibson guitars will include removable faceplates so players can personalize their guitars, and a new integrated button colour design, apparently ‘for an even greater authentic feel and rock experience.’ Gibson Guitar’s Les Paul model will be the industry standard for the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. PS2 fans can, however, also look forward to a new exclusive shape as well – another Gibson brand, the Kramer guitar, which is ‘known for its body design, pickups, electronics and construction for furious finger fretting.’

“The development team at Neversoft has been exceptional, and we’ve been able to incorporate a host of fresh new online and multi-player game play modes, along with exciting content into this version of Guitar Hero that our fans have been asking for. Also, many of the top bands and songs we’ve tried to get in the past are now on board, and we’ve definitely got some giant aces in the hole to say the least,” said Dusty Welch, head of publishing at RedOctane. “In addition, offering a new line of Gibson wireless guitars for each platform is going to truly add to the authentic rock star experience like no other.”

Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl are set to take Europe by storm when they launch across Europe on the 27th of July. With more than 100 new Pokémon to discover, 3D graphics and making use of the DS’s touch screen, microphone and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, its no wonder that American Pokémon fans bought over 1.75 million copies in the first 14 days of availability while Japanese consumers have bought more than five million copies since launch in September last year.

Players begin the adventure as a Pokémon Ranger in Twinleaf, Sinnoh. They soon join forces with Professor Rowan who is determined to document all Pokémon species using a special tool called the Pokédex. Players leave Twinleaf and journey around Sinnoh to complete the mission and try to become the Pokémon League Champion by defeating eight Pokémon Gym Leaders.

Players will collect and battle Pokémon using the touch screen and can connect Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl using Wi-Fi to battle, trade and voice chat with players from around the world. Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl include new features such as the Pokémon Super Contest and the Underground World. The Super Contests take place in the Pokémon Contest Hall – trainers can enter their Pokémon into a competition comprised of three trials: visual (dressing up), dance (rhythm) and acting (Pokémon perform battle moves). Players can compete in the Pokémon Super Contest with up to three other players using wireless. Players can also explore tunnels underground Sinnoh with up to seven players as they search for Pokémon fossils, spheres and items.

Players can use the double slot of the DS to transfer Pokémon from GBA’s Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen and Emerald version games to Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Players who complete the Manaphy Egg mission in Pokémon Ranger can transfer the Manaphy Egg to Pokémon Diamond or Pearl to watch it hatch.

Global Star Software (a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive) has announced that Carnival Games is heading exclusively to the Wii this summer. Developed by Cat Daddy Games, famed for the PC’s Deal or No Deal, Carnival Games is designed for families and children of all ages and aims to bring the excitement of the carnival into gamers’ homes.

“The moment you step into Carnival Games you can almost smell the funnel cakes as you are greeted by the barker and the sights and sounds of a classic carnival,” said Steve Lux, Vice President of Publishing for Global Star Software. “The game was built from the ground up to take full advantage of the capabilities of the Wii Remote, so the flick of your wrist in ‘Alley Ball’ makes the difference between scoring an impressive 100 points and a lowly 10 points. The ability to pound the Wii Remote like a sledgehammer with the right mix of power and finesse in ‘Test of Strength’ determines whether you are a Contender or a Grandma.”

Step right up!

Designed for up to four players, Carnival Games features more than 25 popular carnival games including Clown Splash, Milk Can Toss, Nerves of Steel, Lucky Cups, Hoops, Day at the Races, Fortune Telling and Dunk Tank. Players stand to win over 250 unique and upgradeable virtual prizes as well as rewards to customize their in-game characters whether it be a Pirate’s kit or Viking Horns.

Carnival Games will retail at $39.99 when it hits North American shelves this summer. The title has yet to be confirmed for Europe. Head over to Global Star Software to view the kooky game play trailer.