(Written by:  Tyler Piantanida)

In gaming culture, music has been used mostly just for mood setters and background noise. It rarely takes itself into the realm of something we could listen to on a daily basis. A band known as The Protomen have set out to change this stereotype through an an extremely epic Rock Opera. The twist, is that it’s based on the classic Mega Man series. Protoman is Mega Man’s rival and brother in the series “canon” (haha, see what I did there?)

hit the break to read more about The Protomen and their Mega Man Rock Opera

(Posted by: Alex)

The N64 classic Rayman 2 is being ported to the iPhone and iTouch by developer Gameloft, and is set to be released on March 1st.  It looks like good old Rayman is getting a leg up on the competition and strongarming his way back in to the mainstream.  Didn't get that corny joke?  It's because you haven't played Rayman.  Seriously, go do it right now.  We'll wait.

Done?  Now, wasn't that awesome?  See, the joke was funny because he has no arms or legs.  Though I suppose you could have just looked at the picture.

Anyway, the only major concern about the game is the absence of traditional buttons.  If you listened to our most recent podcast (and I know you did), then you already know my feelings on touchscreen buttons.  And these concerns are just multiplied in an extreme platformer like Rayman 2.  But this is Gameloft we're talking about.  Surely they'll make it work.  I'm just glad someone's releasing this classic game to the public, so others can discover how great it is.  Again, look for it on March 1st.

(Posted by: Kyle)

(Posted by: Harrison)

Back in the summer of 2006, I was one of many to pick up the DS Lite. The new model was less clunky from the original and had a nice glossy finish that any handheld gamer would adore. Now, almost a year after the release of their last DS upgrade, the DSi, Nintendo is releasing the DSi XL in North America on March 28 (makes you think how many more acronyms will be tacked onto the DS in its life cycle). Nintendo was able to demonstrate the new model yesterday at their Q1 Summit Meeting. In the video, we are shown the XL in comparison with the DS Lite. That, and it's accompanied by a lovely British narrator. Enjoy.

(Posted by: Kyle)

I'm having trouble finding the artist who made this hilarious comic.... So props to whoever did... and if anybody knows then please let me know so I can give them credit!

(Posted by: Kyle)

We've been hearing the "next" installment in the Metal Gear franchise would be on the PSP for a while now. What we didn't realize was that Hideo Kojima was completely serious when he said that Peacewalker would represent the next "numbered" sequel in the main series. In fact, Jiro Oishi, the PR head of Kojima Productions, said that at one point, the game was referred to internally as "Metal Gear Solid 5!" There is no word on why the "5" was dropped from the title, but it seems Kojima is pretty confident this will be the best Metal Gear ever.

(Posted by: Harrison)

We've been hearing that the Wii version of Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands was going to be different from its other console ports, but here's something awesome we didn't see coming! At the today's Q1 Media Summit, Nintendo revealed that the Wii version of The Forgotten Sands will include not only a cooperative multiplayer, but a playable version of the SNES version of Prince of Persia, which is said to be one of the best 2D titles in the series.

With the addition of the SNES game and co-op multiplayer (which has yet to be mentioned for the 360 and PS3 versions), Wii owners may have a great reason to pick up this version when it releases May 18th (which is more than a week before the Prince of Persia movie hits theaters).

(Posted by: Harrison)

It seems release dates for triple A titles on the Wii just keep on coming. In a closing statement from the Q1 Media Summit, Nintendo of America announced that the Nintendo, Team Ninja and D-Rockets co-developed Metroid: Other M would be released in North America on June 27. The title is the second proper Metroid title on the Wii, and will blend 2D and 3D gameplay along with the first-person view to create an interesting new experience for the series protagonist, Samus Aran.

With Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid: Other M, and Sin & Punishment: Star Successor set to release near the end of second quarter, what will Nintendo have left to showcase at E3 2010 in June? This might be a sign that Nintendo will be displaying the next Zelda Wii or maybe even a big new IP! Stay tuned for more.

(Posted by: Harrison)

If you thought the sequel to one of this generation's greatest platformers wouldn't be released until November, prepare to be excited! At today's Q1 Media Summit in San Francisco, Nintendo showcased several titles for the Wii and the DS (or DS XL, which will launch March 28) along with a few release dates to boot. But, after a demo was showcased for Galaxy 2, Nintendo announced that the title would ship May 23 in North America. This comes as a bit of a shock. Most people thought that Nintendo would wait for the 2010 holiday season.

Along with the announcement, Nintendo showed off a new trailer for Galaxy 2. The trailer shows more footage of Mario interacting with Yoshi (who will be new to the sequel), along with several new power-ups, areas and of course; all the platforming fun that has pleased legions of Mario fans over the years.

Other key titles receiving release dates included Sin & Punishment: Star Successor for the Wii, which will arrive June 7, and Picross 3D for DS, which is slated to ship on May 3.

(Posted by: Kyle)

Next month will be a big month for Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade. Among the games released will be Perfect Dark, Toy Soldiers, and Scrap Metal as well as the launch of the official "Game Room." Because of all this exciting activity, Microsoft has deemed the entire month of March a "Block Party."

If you decide you can't live without the three games listed above, and you purchase them during the month of March, Microsoft will reward you with 400 MS points! That's enough to buy a game in the "Game Room." (The Game Room itself will be a free application download)

Along with the free points, Microsoft is offering a free, extra month of Gold Membership to people who purchase these three games and are already gold subscribers. If you are not a gold member (yeah baby), then you will have the chance to play all three games on Xbox Live for free during the weekend of March 26th (provided you purchased them).

You can qualify for these incentives any time during the month of March by purchasing all three games and downloading the free Game Room application.