As Archer Maclean's Pool Paradise heads to the duplicators for final mastering, publisher Ignition Entertainment can reveal that the game – already heralded as the best on PlayStation2 (Official PlayStation 2 Magazine preview, January 2004) – will be released on April 2nd 2004 at a mouth-watering recommended retail price of £19.99 for PlayStation 2, Game Cube and PC.

Square Enix and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. today announced an agreement for Take-Two to market and distribute Drakengard on PlayStation2, in all PAL territories during 2004. Drakengard TM is a new RPG series from Square Enix, the creators of both the Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior series.

The fastest race on earth is set to return as Codemasters announces that IndyCar Series 2005 will launch this summer, complete with head-to-head online racing for both Xbox and PlayStation 2. Officially licensed by the Indy Racing League, IndyCar Series 2005 gets a boost with a host of new features to complement the action-packed oval track racing at speeds up to 235mph! The game's new online racing will see up to 12 players getting fiercely competitive out on the circuits on Xbox, with up to 8 players on PlayStation 2.

Captured, conveniently forgotten, tortured, and left for dead, MI6 agent Andrew Sterling awaits execution in a Chinese prison. The story begins when a mysterious friend from his past rescues him, setting off a chain of events that could rock the very foundations of global security and wreak chaos on a worldwide level. Just another day in paradise... Anti Social, Anti Normal, Anti Bond, Anti Hero... It's a cold, cold winter. Read more for a fresh batch of screens ...

Winning Eleven 7 represents a mammoth step forward for the popular soccer series, with every aspect of the game massively reworked, now featuring 100 teams, 21 stadiums, new player models and key additions to the Master League. Winning Eleven 7 also utilizes an all-new custom designed engine that allows for greater flexibility and customization than ever before. Read more for the full review ...

Sly 2: Band of Thieves is a comic crime caper, action-adventure game designed exclusively for the PlayStation2. Created by Seattle-based developer, Sucker Punch Productions, Sly 2: Band of Thieves incorporates many of Sucker Punch's signature talents including award winning toon-shaded animation and art direction, visual style, immersive storylines, strong characters, and highly interactive worlds. Expected in stores September 2004. Read more to check out some new screens ...

Electronic Arts today announced that Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will be the first third-party title to fully utilize the EyeToy technology for the PS2. For the first time, gamers will play as friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as well as Harry Potter, switching between characters and utilizing their key attributes and skills to resolve challenges and overcome enemies. Players will unravel the mystery surrounding Sirius Black and his escape from the infamous wizard prison Azkaban, as they take part in the most exciting and challenging Harry Potter videogame adventure yet.

Maintaining law and society order is veteran Headhunter Jack Wade, older, wiser and battle hardened. At his side is the reluctant new sidekick, the rebellious street kid Leeza X. Whether ripping up the highways of the silver metropolis on a super bike or stalking the criminal masterminds of the shadowy underworld, they are led into the greatest danger of their lives and must overcome something much more sinister than a simple human threat. Each must face their darkest fears. Together they must redeem a world facing chaos...

Sammy Studios, Inc. today announced that "Seven Samurai 20XX" is now available in retail outlets in the US. Released exclusively for PS2, "Seven Samurai 20XX" is a fast-paced action game inspired by Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece "The Seven Samurai." The game takes the samurai epic's timeless tale of a courageous few standing up against evil and recreates it for the videogame generation. "Seven Samurai 20XX" is rated T for Teen and will debut at $39.99.

Van Helsing, the third-person action game, transports players back to the macabre world of 19th century Transylvania - home to the legendary Dracula, Wolf Man and the Frankenstein Monster. As the renowned monster hunter Van Helsing, players must hunt down and destroy the evil that inhabits these ancient lands before darkness engulfs the world. Van Helsing is being developed by Saffire Studios and will be available in the Spring of 2004 in conjunction with the film's release.

KOEI today announced that 'Crimson Sea 2' has gone gold. The action-adventure game will ship to North American retail outlets on March 30, 2004. Gamers can pre-order the game now at ebgames.com, gamestop.com, and amazon.com.

Seven Samurai 20XX puts players in the role of the young Ronin Natoe. At first fighting the enemy alone as they begin laying siege to the human’s one and only city, Natoe soon finds himself the protector of the humans’ last hope, the Holy Child, and ultimately the leader of a band of warriors united to protect her against the invaders.

SCEA and 989 Sports announced today that it has signed one of Major League Baseball's premier third basemen to grace the cover of its MLB 2005 videogame, due to hit store shelves in March 2004, for the PlayStation2 and PlayStation1. Read more for details ...

Destined to lure consumers with its outlandish array of weaponry and laugh-out-loud moments, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. today announced that it has shipped Worms 3D for the PlayStation2, GameCube and PC. Worms 3D expands upon the successful turn-based action strategy franchise that has sold over eight million units worldwide.

Developed by Rebellion, 'Ironstorm: World War Zero'is an all-action first-person title spanning 19 war-torn stages. Presenting an alternate history concept at the heart of its plot, Ironstorm is set in a shattered 1964 where the first World War never ended. The pivotal Russian October Revolution has seen history diverted as the insane Baron Ungenberg has crushed the Bolshevik charge.

StarCraft: Ghost is Blizzard Entertainment’s upcoming tactical-action console game that refines the epic experience of StarCraft to the level of the individual soldier. Engage the StarCraft universe face-to-face as a deadly Ghost operative in the employ of the Dominion. With the help of determined allies, follow story-driven missions that take you from massive planetary battles through dangerous solo operations to an unexpected turn of events that leaves the fate of the universe in your hands. Njoy the new screens!

What would James Bond do? That’s the question players will answer in every dramatic moment of James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, as the world’s greatest secret agent returns in his fifth interactive adventure under the EA GAMES brand. First, you will think like Bond, using espionage, tactical skills, and gadgets from the Q-Lab to analyze your situation. Then you will act like Bond, using his stylish physical skills, clever subterfuge, and bold personality to once again save the world.

SCEA announced today the September 2004 release of Sly 2: Band of Thieves, a comic crime caper, action-adventure game designed exclusively for the PlayStation2. Created by Seattle-based developer, Sucker Punch Productions, Sly 2: Band of Thieves incorporates many of Sucker Punch's signature talents including award winning toon-shaded animation and art direction, visual style, immersive storylines, strong characters, and highly interactive worlds. Read more to check out some new screens ...

Expanding upon the distinctive features that were the hallmark of its predecessor - fast-paced acrobatic combat and supernatural powers - BloodRayne 2 includes new in-game dynamics such as pole combat, rail sliding and advanced melee fighting with fatality moves. Check these 30+ screens ...

Acclaim has launched the official 'The Red Star' website. The Red Star takes place in a parallel fantasy universe, in which a mythic empire based on the Soviet Union sets the landscape for an epic battle of militarized sorcery and monolithic technology. Currently under development with Acclaim Studios Austin for the next-generation gaming systems. Go check it out or read more to check some new screens ...

KOEI Corporation today announced that Naval Ops: Commander has shipped to North American retail outlets, and is in stores now.

Spawn, based on Todd McFarlane’s best-selling comic book character, is a 3-D action/adventure game, where Spawn is caught between factions in the battle of Good vs. Evil. Players will encounter a variety of enemies through more than 30 interactive and destructible environments, as Spawn struggles to break free of the controlling forces of Heaven and Hell. Already available in the US for several months, it is scheduled for European release (through EA Europe) end of this week...

For the first time gamers will play as friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as well as Harry Potter, switching between characters and utilizing their key attributes and skills to resolve challenges and overcome enemies. The three friends will need to combine their strengths and master a variety of new spells as they face Harry's most terrifying opponents yet: the escaped convict Sirius Black and the Dementors, the sinister guards of Azkaban prison. Read more for 60+ new screens...

BAM! Entertainment today announced that it will publish, under license from Japan-based Taito Corporation, Bujingai: The Forsaken City for the PlayStation 2. The North American release date is currently set for this May. Read more for screens ...

Konami Digital Entertainment today announced that Firefighter F.D.18 for the PlayStation2 has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. Packing the excitement and tension of battling real-life infernos into the ultimate firefighting game, Firefighter F.D.18 places players in the heat of the action as they unravel the mystery of random eruptions of fire throughout a sprawling metropolis.