Namco announced today its new rhythm-based drum game, TAIKO: Drum Master, has shipped to North American retail outlets. Developed by Namco Ltd. in Japan, TAIKO: Drum Master is available exclusively for the PlayStation2.

THQ and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. today announced their newest World Wrestling Entertainment licensed video game, WWE SmackDown! Vs. RAW for the PS2, is in the final steps of manufacturing and will begin shipping to retailers throughout North America on Nov. 2, 2004.

Pharaoh is pleased. Not only is his pyramid complete, but Myelin Media and Tilted Mill today announced that Immortal Cities: Children of the Nile for PC has gone gold and will be in stores starting Tuesday, November 9.

Just in time for the holidays and the DVD launch of the box office smash "Shrek 2," fans of the lovable green ogre and his swashbuckling friend Puss in Boots can embark upon all-new adventures in Activision's Shrek 2: Beg for Mercy! for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance and Shrek 2: Team Action for the PC.

Rise of Nations: Gold Edition includes both the award-winning Rise of Nations and the critically acclaimed expansion pack, Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots.

Oxygen Interactive today announced that Euro Rally Champion has screamed past the chequered flag and officially gone gold with a PS2 and PC release date of November 5th, priced extremely competitively at £19.99.

Already unofficially revealed a week or 2 ago, Midway announced today that Mortal Kombat will be extended to the action/adventure genre with the release of Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks. Slated for release in Fall 2005, Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is currently in development for the PS2 and Xbox.

Empire Interactive and Bugbear Entertainment today announced that their Christmas triple A racing title FlatOut has finally gone gold and is ready for the final big push to release. FlatOut is an adrenaline-inducing racing game with an exciting story line, spectacular crashes and a not-too-serious attitude in the best movie-like fashion.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, DC Comics and Electronic Arts today announced that the companies have joined forces to bring Batman Begins to multiple videogame platforms in 2005. In this exclusive co-publishing agreement, a game based on the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures' film starring Christian Bale will be released day and date with the film on the PlayStation 2, the PSP, Xbox, GameCube and GBA.

Boiling Point: Road to Hell, previously known as Xenus, will combine intense armed combat with exploration and interaction with a vast and seamless open-ended gaming world. Boiling Point: Road to Hell is in development by Ukrainian developer Deep Shadows and is scheduled for release in Spring 2005.