A major number one best seller for PlayStation 2, the Xbox/PC edition features more cars on track in every race and adds qualifying rounds to the cut-throat career championships. A superior graphics engine will deliver the close contact, and often dangerous, racing in dramatic detail. TOCA Race Driver delivers a racing experience packed with 42 real touring and sports cars, 13 championships and an incredible 38 internationally renowned race circuits. New to the Xbox/PC edition are the introduction of a qualifying round to championship races; in Australia's championship players will experience the 'Shoot out' qualification system. Call it Toca Race driver, Pro Race Driver or DTM Race Driver, these screens are for one and the same game, njoy!

An accidental hero finds himself on a remote tropical paradise, where a madman plays God; engineering various species of enhanced creatures to replace what he believes is a genetic dead-end… mankind. The game is set around 2020 on a set of tropical islands in the pacific. And has a strong tropical-paradise feel, scenic in its beauty, but, harbors a terrible threat. It is a mix of jungle / primal / and next-gen technology. As the player you find yourself drawn into a secretive plot involving secret research facilities with scientists involved in military genetic-research, a secret "security" force of mercenaries, and, advanced net-generation weaponry and equipment.

Chaos Legion has been billed in Japan as an ‘intense gothic opera’ which (minus the singing) details the story of master swordsman Sieg Wahrheit and his oldest ally Victor Delacroix. We learn that while Wahrheit is missing for many years on a dangerous mission, Delacroix is tempted and consumed by the forces of Evil. It is Wahrheit’s mission to pursue and prevent Delacroix from bringing chaos to the world. Wahrheit must battle through many gloriously realised 3D environments (featuring stunning architectural exteriors and highly detailed cavernous interiors) against Delacroix and his fearful hoards.

THQ Inc. today unveiled Sphinx -an original interactive adventure game. Developed for the PS2 and Gamecube by game design veterans Eurocom, Sphinx takes the character-based, action-adventure genre to new heights with sophisticated gameplay mechanics, original character designs, amazing visuals and superior technology. Eurocom has created successful titles based on some of the strongest intellectual properties in the world of entertainment including Crash Bandicoot, James Bond, Hercules and Disney's Tarzan. Sphinx is an entirely original property inspired by the mythology of ancient Egypt and is Eurocom's most ambitious project to date. Sphinx is scheduled to ship in fall 2003.

Infogrames has released an updated version 2206 of the demo for Unreal Tournament 2003, Digital Extreme's UT sequel. In addition to being updated to the latest Unreal-engine codebase, the new demo also adds another level. The updated demo includes five maps, four gameplay modes, a pair of mutators, etc. (thanks Bluesnews) A Windows as well as a Linux version are now available. Read more for download links ...

Just noticed on Bluesnews that there is a new version of Netscape available for download. Go to this FTP directory where you can download Netscape 7.02 versions for Windows, Mac as well as Linux. Thanks to FileFlash for bringing this to everybody's attention!

Hot on the heels of the previous patch, Strategy First & Paradox Plaza have released yet anotherpatch for their WWII based strategy war title Hearts of Iron. Even more gameplay tweaks, AI fixes and general improvements to the game! Read more for detailed fix list and download links for all localised versions ...

Purge, delivers a compelling combination of first-person shooter gameplay and RPG character development, immersing players in a strife-torn world that blends science fiction and fantasy. This release addresses bugs in the Persistance Battle Mode, game mechanics and more, along with tweaking class balance and improving engine stability. Also, for players who still think Purge is played like typical deathmatch FPS, a new "helper" message system added assist new players to Purge's unique game style. Read more for a detailed fix list and download links (full download and patch). A little catch-up download for our FreeForm friends ;)

Thrustmaster is pleased to introduce its first cordless controller for PlayStation 2: Firestorm Wireless. With a design based on the Firestorm RF for PC, Thrustmaster's new radio frequency gamepad will be available from February 2003, providing gamers with a new level of enjoyment and unprecedented freedom of movement in games.

Capcom informed us that they have shipped "Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter" to stores. The latest iteration of this popular role-playing series follows the adventures of an underground dweller named Ryu who has an “awakening” about his mysterious past and finds himself leading his underground civilization to the surface after a world shaking catastrophe turns his world upside down. His quest is to lead the way for the people of Shelter to escape to the surface, but doing the journey is fraught with peril and woe. Enemies are at every turn impeding his safe passage to the surface. Using a variety of attacks including combinations, magic and tactics, Ryo and friends will break into the sunlight after generations of darkness- or die trying.

PC game fans everywhere are excited to learn that Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, one of the hottest games of the year, has shipped and will soon be available on store shelves. Expected to blow PC game fans away, the game is already a critical success earning Editor's Choice awards from both Computer Gaming World and PC Gamer. Read more for details and a few new screens ...

Last week Western Canada based Two Guys Software released the retail version of Eternal War: Shadows of Light for online ordering. Hailed as the “Best Christian Game to date” (CCGR.org) the highly anticipated fast-paced action game is set in a spiritual conflict situation. Read more for some screens, and links where to download the demo.

Bureau of Film and Games (BFG), a company that develops content and produces projects in multiple media with an emphasis on feature films and video games, today announced a deal in which the movie rights to the video game concept titled “Backwater” were sold to Dimension Films, a division of Miramax Films.

Codemasters is attending this year's Game Developers Conference [GDC], March 4 – 8 in San Jose, California, with a clear mandate to acquire five A to triple-A game titles. As part of Codemasters' aggressive product acquisition programme, its team is ready to meet game developers with exceptional projects to discuss global publishing opportunities. Codemasters recently won the highly-contested publishing rights to 1C's "WWII:RTS" (to be published as Battlefield Command). With a particular interest in US-centric games, Codemasters is prioritising titles for PC, PC online, PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube formats.

In the 23rd century, after having stimulated a subspatial breach and opened our solar system to an unknown system, a scientific expedition is attacked under appalling conditions by a quarrelsome species : a terrible war engaged between these two worlds. Men, in their will to maintain peace and discover new civilisations engaged into a military campaign in order to explore new planets and understand the major motivations of this species. You, Captain Demetrio, you lead a troop of elites and will discover during a perilous adventure the mysteries and dangers of areas filled of history and past and maybe reveal the secrets of ancestors who will lead you to the victory. Read more for features, screens and trailer...

Here is a news story on a growing gaming culture seen growing mostly in the bigger cities... As the editorial deadline draws nearer for the forthcoming edition of Twin Galaxies' Official Video Game & Pinball Book of World Records, more and more champions are surfacing to represent the many distinct genres of gaming. And, most interesting among the new genre are the dancing games... More about it below!

Thousands of gamers flooded the world of ancient Egypt on February 15, as eGenesis unveiled A Tale In The Desert, marking the birth of the intelligent MMORPG. A Tale In The Desert diverts from the shallow, violent gameplay that is typical of the genre, focusing instead on non-violent conflict that encourages creative thinking and ingenuity. The game is available now as a free, downloadable demo featuring 24 hours of game-time, or 30 days of service, whichever comes first. Following the trial period, the game is $13.95 per month.

SEGA of America, Inc. today announced it has entered into an affiliation with McDonald's Corporation, the world's largest quick service restaurant to create a new line of McDonald's Happy Meal premiums. Based on two top-selling SEGA franchises - Sonic The Hedgehog and Super Monkey Ball, the premiums will come alive this summer at participating McDonald's restaurants throughout North America.

F1 Career Challenge is officially licensed by Formula One Administration Limited and positions the player as a rookie who must prove their worth within the games career mode by passing a range of super licence tests where upon they can take their rightful place amongst the elite drivers competing in the world's fastest and most glamorous motor sport. Reputation will determine how far your career can take you and with which team. Develop and hone your car during test days where improvements will start to show over 4 successive seasons on the Formula1 circuit. Read more for facts sheet and some early PS2 screens ...

4D Rulers has just released the promised demo release of the AMP II showcasing their new engine. The tech demo offers the chance to check out the next generation version of the engine that powered Gore, which is going to be available for license for commercial games, as well as smaller projects. The initial version of the engine requires the use of either an NVIDIA GeForce 3 or GeForce 4 ti accelerator. Read more for download links ...

Nintendo today announce the eagerly anticipated news that a limited edition bonus disk will be included with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker at launch on 3rd May. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, will include a bonus disk containing two additional Gamecube games: The N64 Classic The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and previously unreleased title The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest, which was originally designed for the N64DD. Also on the bonus disk will be additional gameplay footage including the all-new F-Zero, 1080° Avalanche, Time Splitters 2, Phantasy Star Online, Rayman 3 & Super Monkey Ball 2, all for Gamecube

Hercules is pleased to announce today the release of SmartTV on Screen, an external unit which connects to a PC for full screen viewing of television and other video sources on a computer's monitor via composite and S-Video inputs.

Mirage Interactive has official announced that Mortyr II, a sequel to their World War II first-person shooter, is in production. A demo is expected soon and they have released a list of new "features" that we can expect to see in their new Mortyr II WIP version. Read more for details ...

Resident Evil: Dead Aim sees search and pursuit team agent, Bruce MacGavin spear heading a shady anti-Umbrella organization’s attempt to infiltrate and investigate a gigantic sea-cruiser as it makes its way across the Atlantic. Bruce MacGavin is a brand new character to the Resident Evil series and along with his mysterious female partner must battle against the hoards of relentless zombies that confront them for the first time.

Talk about a southern island fantasy! Imagine being in Paradise for two whole weeks, with no-one but the lovely ladies of Dead or Alive to keep you company! Except instead of fighting – it’s all about another exciting and reaction testing activity – beach volleyball. In “Dead or Alive Extreme Beach Volleyball”, you play as a character you select out of all seven of the Dead or Alive ladies, along with one new character and enjoy holidays at various spots on the island playing beach volleyball games.

Set on post-apocalyptic Earth where survival and ultimate dominance are all that matters, Devastation is a high action, teamplay oriented first person shooter. Powered by heavily modified, next generation Unreal Engine technology, it pits teams of rebelling street fighters, gang leaders, mercenaries and ex-military fighters against overwhelming armies of high-tech corporate troopers. We finally had a chance to sit down with Digitalo's Lead Producer Vic DeLeon and fired off some annoying questions. Read more to check out our devastating interview!

Conflict:Desert Storm is a 3rd person squad based action game that has unprecedented realism and depth and is a carefully balanced equation of fast paced action, stealth and tactical warfare. Conflict:Desert Storm will be released in May 2003 on Nintendo GameCube and is currently available on PS2, Xbox and PC CD-Rom. Read more for some NGC features & screens ...

In Dungeons & Dragons Heroes, you take on the role of one of four resurrected D&D Heroes (Fighter, Wizard, Cleric & Rogue), each carved in the style of fictional famed fantasy figures drawn from the D&D universe. The game focuses around combat and developing your character, "The Hero", as you journey through the game's levels to collect all of the Planar Gems and vanquish the evil force that threatens to end life as we know it. Dungeons & Dragons Heroes features gorgeously detailed characters in lush environments that are rich for adventuring, each populated with gruesome Dungeons & Dragons monsters, treasures and sinister traps.

Extreme Pool features ultra realistic graphics, numerous game modes and extremely accurate physics and ball kinetics all set within exotic photo-realistic high polygon environments. The most graphically detailed console pool/snooker game with a full career game mode, various tournament modes, create your own tournament mode and practice modes with multiplayer gameplay for up to 8 players. Graphic State, a leading UK developer whose clients include THQ, TDK, Midway and Lego, today announces the completion of 'Extreme Pool', a brand new pool and snooker game for PS2, GameCube and PC. Check out the screens ...