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Tuesday, April 19, 2011 Shipping Announcements

by Rainier on April 19, 2011 @ 7:03 a.m. PDT

Another day, another batch of games shipped to stores. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are announcements for:


We will update this throughout the day when new announcements become available. Read more for details ...

Portal 2 (PS3/X360/PC)

Portal 2 is a hilariously mind-bending adventure that challenges you to use wits over weaponry in a funhouse of diabolical science.

Using a highly experimental portal device, you'll once again face off against a lethally inventive, power-mad A.I. named GLaDOS. And this time you won't be alone. Meet an expanded cast of characters as you think your way through dangerous, never-before-seen areas of Aperture Laboratories.

Break the laws of spatial physics in ways you never thought possible, with a wider variety of portal puzzles and an expansive story that spans a single player and co-operative game mode.

The game's two-player cooperative mode features its own entirely separate campaign with a unique story, test chambers, and two new player characters. This new mode forces players to reconsider everything they thought they knew about portals. Success will require them to not just act cooperatively, but to think cooperatively.

On the PS3 Portal 2 will be supported by Steamworks, a complete suite of game features and services including auto updates, community features, downloadable content, and more.

The first title to support Steam on a console, Portal 2 offers cross-platform matchmaking, gameplay, friends, chat, and achievements, all powered by Steam. Steam on the PS3 also saves co-op game progress and single player saved games to the Steam Cloud, enabling players to pick up where they left off on any PS3.

The Steam overlay for PS3 provides access to both PSN and Steam friends, displaying their in-game or online status and providing a quick pathway to text chats, player profiles, friend requests, and game invites. Steam Achievements are earned in lockstep with PSN Trophies and are also accessible within the Steam overlay.

Steam on the PS3 provides access to all of these features once the player has linked their PlayStation Network account with a Steam account, which is done right within the game. A Steam user can login to an existing account, and anyone new to Steam can create an account with the click of a button.

In the spirit of Steam Play, linked players of the PS3 version of Portal 2 can also access and play their copy of Portal 2 on any PC or Mac by redeeming an in-box access code on their computer. The Steam client verifies the linked customer and then lists Portal 2 among their library of Steam games for PC and Mac.

Mortal Kombat (PS3/X360)

Mortal Kombat, developed by NetherRealm Studios and led by Mortal Kombat creator and creative director Ed Boon, is the newest chapter of the legendary franchise, marking a triumphant return to the series’ roots in the most epic installment to date.

Mortal Kombat is an extremely impressive game, and we are launching it in a big way, just as this landmark franchise deserves with outstanding marketing and retail support,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is thrilled to deliver the gaming experience new and established fans have been waiting for, with new innovations making Mortal Kombat the best entry in the franchise to date.”

“All of us at NetherRealm studios could not be more excited that players can finally get their hands on our all new Mortal Kombat game,” said Ed Boon, Creative Director, NetherRealm Studios. “Our goal was to deliver the Mortal Kombat game that the fans have been demanding and feel we've delivered that and then some!”

Mortal Kombat introduces a number of gameplay features including tag team and the deepest story modes of any fighting game with the re-imagination of the original story lines of Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 2 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. Players can choose from an extensive lineup of the game’s iconic warriors and challenge their friends in traditional 1 vs. 1 matches, or take on several new game modes.

Mortal Kombat introduces Co-op Arcade play, Challenge Tower and King of the Hill. Mortal Kombat also introduces the X-Ray move which gives fans a cringe-worthy “inside” look at the internal damage that their favorite fighter takes.

PS3 owners will also be able to take on the powerful role of Kratos -- from the acclaimed, bestselling God of War franchise. The ex-Spartan warrior will be able to face off against the beloved Mortal Kombat roster while boasting unique moves, fatalities and his own arena. Additionally, the PlayStation 3 version will include stereoscopic 3-D functionality on compatible televisions.

Owners of both PS3 and Xbox 360 will be able to compete to be the best Mortal Kombat player online in multiple modes including the all-new King of the Hill which offers players the chance to actively cheer on their favorite player in the theater - reminiscent of old-school arcade competitions.

Xbox 360 gamers will be able to use their own Xbox Live Avatar to represent them as they cheer, throw tomatoes, and boo the fighters competing. PS3™ players will be able to choose their favorite Mortal Kombat avatars to represent them in the theater.

Players who want to keep track of their stats can go to the updated Mortal Kombat website. Once on the Mortal Kombat site, users can track in-game stats through their personal profile and website leaderboards, which are updated and aggregated by Agora Games. Players can link their website accounts to Facebook and Twitter so that after achieving certain in-game milestones, updates can automatically be shared and friends can keep tabs on their gameplay performance.

Mortal Kombat, rated M for Mature, is now available in North America for $59.99 on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

SOCOM 4 (PS3)

With over-the-top action, high production values, and an authentic military strategy and arsenal, SOCOM 4 delivers a true cinematic experience through the squad-based multiplayer alongside a robust single player campaign. SOCOM 4 reinvents the multiplayer space with team-focused, tactical gameplay through a variety of competitive multiplayer modes and the newly-introduced innovative five-person cooperative mode. The story-driven single player narrative immerses the player in an intense modern combat experience through a dynamically paced campaign, whether navigating a squad through chaotic missions under fire or completing covert missions set in the dead of night.

"SOCOM 4 not only delivers everything the fans loved about previous titles in the franchise, but adds Stereoscopic 3D and fully incorporates the PlayStation Move to offer a completely engrossing gameplay experience," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA. "We're excited to offer the SOCOM 4: Full Deployment Edition to introduce new players to the franchise and give dedicated fans an even more immersive way to play."

SOCOM 4 continues the series tradition of teamwork and tactical combat, while evolving with new, accessible features. Enemy AI dynamically reacts to the player's moves, challenging the player to develop new strategies and rely on squad commands. The progressive, streamlined command interface allows the player to develop sophisticated team maneuvers, making the player more efficient and increasing the likelihood of successfully completing missions. The player is also able to upgrade and scavenge enemy weapons, and destructible cover adds to the authentic combat experience.

SOCOM 4 takes place in Southeast Asia after a NATO fleet is severely crippled by a terrorist attack and civil war grips the region. Operations Commander Cullen Gray must rely on his multinational force and his expertise in strategic combat to overcome hostile territory and even more hostile rebels. In just six days, OpsCom and his team must capture a radical revolutionary who plans to disrupt the global economy by annihilating a critical waterway. Throughout their journey the team receives assistance from ORACLE, a surviving intelligence analyst stationed aboard an offshore, immobilized NATO carrier.  

Each team member brings a unique skill to the battlefield: First Lieutenant Park Yoon-Hee (call-sign "Forty-Five"), a South Korean covert operations specialist; Chief Petty Officer Dion Wells; Heavy Weapons Operator Eric Schweitzer; and Chung Kwan, a South Korean reconnaissance operative. OpsCom must command and optimize each team member's skill to successfully maneuver his team out of enemy territory and complete his objective.

Supporting up to 32 players online, SOCOM 4 brings team-focused competitive modes to the battle ground. In Uplink, each team infiltrates the other's base to obtain valuable data. Last Defense pits teams against each other as they attempt to place recon beacons at key sectors to locate and assault the enemy base. For fans of the series, Suppression returns and challenges teams to neutralize the other and be the last team standing. Bomb Squad makes its debut as the newest addition to the multiplayer arsenal. Escorted by allies, the special bomber units attempt to defuse enemy explosives, while warding off the rival team. Classic SOCOM mode is available for all maps and gametypes and dares players to turn off health regeneration, respawn, the cover system and adds faster movement speeds.

Gamers looking for a different way to wage war will welcome the new cooperative campaign. The five player online co-op campaign ranges over six challenging maps and two game modes. Takedown tasks the squad to locate and neutralize the enemy VIP and Espionage relies on a more covert approach as the team must gain access to the enemy position and gather valuable data.  Randomized scenarios, tactical objectives and unpredictable, dynamic AI lie in wait to test a squad's strategy and plan of attack.

Customization adds another layer to both the competitive and cooperative SOCOM multiplayer experience. The multiplayer environment allows for a variety of options for custom matches, including Classic mode, gametype map, player count, timed rounds, weapon class restrictions, teammate revival, damage and friendly fire. Chaining together up to five cooperative missions creates a unique, custom campaign where players also have the option to modify both enemy density and difficulty.  

SOCOM 4 supports stereoscopic 3D, providing even greater visual depth and enveloping gamers more deeply into the intense combat. With PlayStation Move compatibility and full PlayStation Move Sharp Shooter integration, users can enjoy intuitive and precise controls. The SOCOM 4: Full Deployment Edition (MSRP: $149.99) brings together all the elements needed to lead your team:  SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs on Blu-ray disc, PlayStation Move motion controller, PlayStation Move navigation controller, PlayStation Eye camera, and the PlayStation Move sharp shooter.  The combination of stereoscopic 3D and PlayStation Move support in SOCOM 4 delivers an unmatched shooter experience that's only possible on PS3.

The latest entry in the series also introduces SOCOM Pro. Exclusive to purchasers of new copies of SOCOM 4, SOCOM Pro provides free downloadable content via a voucher code. Once players enter their codes, their PlayStation Network IDs become SOCOM Pro accounts and they will have access to content free of charge. Members will have access to a wealth of SOCOM Pro downloadable content, including custom game queues, weapons packs, and bi-weekly custom co-op challenges. Players purchasing a previously owned SOCOM 4 copy will be available to purchase a Pro membership for $15.  

SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs, rated M for Mature is available exclusively for the PS3 for $59.99 MSRP.

Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection (PSP)

The 20th Anniversary Edition includes a graphically enhanced version of the timeless classic Final Fantasy IV, the complete episodic series The Years After, and an entirely new Interlude, which connects the stories between the previous two entries in the franchise.

Retail copies of Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection will also include two exclusive in-pack items: a set of five collectible trading cards featuring characters from Final Fantasy IV beautifully illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano, and an exclusive download code that can be redeemed for a special "Knight of the Twin Moon" costume for use with Cecil Dark Knight and Cecil Paladin in Dissidia 012[duodecim] Final Fantasy.

Critically acclaimed as one of the greatest games of all time with more than 4 million copies sold worldwide, Final Fantasy IV set the standard for role-playing games to come with its diverse cast of complex characters, a deep and engrossing plot, the introduction of the Active Time Battle system and numerous additional innovations. Twenty years later, Final Fantasy IV, its acclaimed sequel The Years After and the entirely new Interlude have come together inone package as the ultimate role-playing game experience with Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection. Whether re-experiencing a favorite or just discovering the game for the first time, new and old players alike will join in as a cast of unforgettable characters are drawn into one of the most beloved Final Fantasy stories, with stunning new graphics, a newly arranged award-winning soundtrack and bonus game features that provide the definitive Final Fantasy IV experience.

Key Features:

  • Complete package of one of the greatest RPGs of all time: First packaged release of The Years After
  • An epic tale spanning nations, worlds and generations: Brand-new stories to further expand the revolutionary story line of Final Fantasy IV
  • All-new cast of friends, family and foes: Fall in love with Cecil, Rosa, Kain, Rydia and Edge again while getting to know Ceodore and a whole new cast of characters
  • Vibrant visuals and unforgettable melodies: Includes all-new 2-D graphics designed for the PSP system’s 16:9 format. Also includes a new arrangement of one of the most acclaimed video game soundtracks of all time.

Since its original release in 1991 on the SNES, Final Fantasy IV has been popular across several platforms, and this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. With its high-quality graphics and scenarios, and the introduction of the Active Time Battle system, Final Fantasy IV redefined role-playing video games and shaped Final Fantasy titles to come.

The Years After is a true sequel set more than a decade after the events of Final Fantasy IV. The story revolves around Cecil and Rosa’s son, Ceodore, as he ventures out to unravel the mysterious events surrounding the Blue Planet. In addition to the new characters, characters from the original title such as Cecil, Rosa and Kain will be reunited. Players can enjoy the Final Fantasy IV experience with enhanced battles and the brand-new Band system feature.

Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection , rated T for Teen, is now available for the PSP at North American retailers for an MSRP of $29.99.

DJ Hero 2 - Ultra Mix Pack (Wii/PS3/X360)

The ultimate mixer of music and friends, DJ Hero 2 delivers the definitive way for players to come together and party with a host of new multiplayer modes – including DJ Battles that pit DJ against DJ in mixes produced specifically for battle gameplay – and invite vocalists into the spotlight with integrated on-screen singing and rapping of lyrics and rhymes while bringing the party to life with jump-in/jump-out Party Play gameplay.  Featuring the biggest dance, pop and hip-hop hits by the hottest artists everyone knows and loves remixed by world-class DJ’s in an all-new way, the game’s soundtrack delivers 83 unique creations only available in DJ Hero 2.   Further immersing players into the music, the game offers a heightened level of creative input and allows everyone to add their own touch, directly impacting the beats they’re spinning with freestyle scratching, crossfading and sampling.  The game will also feature an all-new career-based Empire Mode where players start out as an up-and-coming DJ on the road to becoming the head of a major entertainment empire, all of which is founded solely on their success as a DJ.

Available now and featuring remixes of hits from electronic music phenomenon Deadmau5, massive dance party favourite Benny Benassi and international club sensation Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP, the Ultra Mix Pack will get feet moving, have fans up out of their seats and keep the music going until the break of dawn.

Ultra Mix Pack Features:

  • “House Music” by Benny Benassi (Remix by FSG)
  • “Sofi Needs a Ladder” by Deadmau5 (Remix by FSG)
  • “'We No Speak Americano” by Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP (Remix by FSG)

The Ultra Mix Pack is available on Xbox Live Marketplace for the Xbox 360 for 640 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation Store for PS3 for £6.29.  All tracks are also available as downloadable  singles for Wii for 300 Wii Points each.

Available now, DJ Hero 2 invites a wave of new digital disc jockeys to the turntables as the game is available as a Party Bundle which includes a copy of the game, two turntable controllers and a microphone, offering the ultimate “party-in-a-box.”  Gamers who experienced DJ Hero can pick up DJ Hero 2 as a Turntable Bundle featuring one turntable controller and a copy of the game or as standalone software.

Black Mirror 3(PC)

Black Mirror 3, like its predecessor, delivers a classic point & click adventure in 2.5D technology. The game uses a combination of stunning two-dimensional backgrounds, and detailed three-dimensional characters, and utilizes the power of the Black Mirror 2 graphics engine to deliver breathtaking visuals.

The story centers on the Black Mirror castle in Willow Creek, and surrounding areas, thus tracing its roots to the original Black Mirror. Players can explore a total of 62 different locations, some of which may be familiar to players of the original game, and all locations have a completely new graphical look.

The story connects with the end of Black Mirror 2, and promises a deep, mysterious story, including two playable characters.

Driven by nightmares, plagued by the specter of murder

After his flight into the woods, Darren stands with a burning torch in his hand, and turns to look back at the blaze engulfing Black Mirror Castle. Confusion reigns...

A short time later, he barely reacts as the handcuffs are closed on his wrists. The police have arrested Darren as their main suspect, and subject him to extensive questioning. But Darren is numb to the events occurring around him, and he withdraws into a deep emptiness.

After three weeks of detention - and tormented by sleepless nights, nightmare-like visions, and the chilling specter of murder and death - Darren is set free. Darren is now alone. He must try to find out what has happened, and lift the veil on his clouded past. What did he really see with those jet black eyes, what does the nightmare mean? Who is the mysterious person who posted bail and set him free? What dark force lies behind the tangled web of riddles, mysterious secrets and entwined relationships?

The answers to all these questions await puzzle fans in the six chapters of this exciting adventure game.

Black Mirror 3 is now available at North American retail stores and digital distribution for $19.99

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