Boasting incredible 3-D graphics to accompany classic 2-D game play, this fast-paced adventure will have Mario fans cheering as they make their way over fields, under water, through castles and into the air. New and familiar enemies are everywhere, not to mention mind-blowing challenges made possible by the dual screens of the NDS, and also wireless multiplayer with a friend.

Set in the original 60’s Bond era, From Russia With Love features movie-based missions as well as original, action-intensive sequences, a broad and deep variety of gameplay, social multiplayer experiences, gorgeous women, and classic, upgradeable weapons and gadgetry with modern mechanics.

A Canadian research team performed a study of 100 university undergraduates in Toronto and concluded that video gamers consistently outperform their non-playing peers in a series of tricky mental tests. If they also happened to be bilingual, they were unbeatable. The researchers are also finding evidence that the high-speed, multitasking of the young and wireless can help protect their brains from aging.

To promote its upcoming movie Running Scared, New Line Cinema offers website viewers a free promotional action game, but with quite some explicit (read: sexual) content. Variety is reporting that the website's traffic has doubled since its launch a week ago, even though it's only accessible to people 17 years of age or older. You need to provide your name and address, which is then checked against public records.

Malfador revealed, through an FAQ, that SE V has been pushed back from April to June 2006 (thanks Blues). Space Empires V completely updates the user interface and takes the player into a real-time rendered 3D universe. Watch space battles play out in glorious detail with realistic effects. Expand, Explore, Exploit, and Exterminate in a huge, living, breathing galaxy.

In Sonic Riders, Dr. Eggman challenges Sonic and his friends to a Worldwide Grand Prix, and the prize for coming out on top is an ultra-rare Chaos Emerald! Gliding on air boards gamers will experience a heightened sense of Extreme sports-style racing tension as Sonic and his pals perform tricks and stunts over treacherous wide-open terrain.

In this sequel to Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, the brothers travel back in time to retrieve Princess Peach, only to come face to face with baby versions of themselves, the princess and Bowser. Teaming up with their young selves will soon send Mario and Luigi on a quest of lunatic proportions as players must control both the adult AND baby versions of the Mushroom Kingdom heroes.

As the only game that offers an open, fast-paced driving action-movie experience, Driver: Parallel Lines features an unfolding storyline of double crossing and revenge. Set in a photorealistic interpretation of New York City, players take on the role of a notorious 18 year old who, free from conscience and rules, is the most sought after driver-for-hire in town.

In Birth of America you control one of the major contenders in French & Indian Wars, and the War of the American Independence, trying to achieve military and political victory. It is a rather complete and detailed simulation of the two most important wars in Colonial America - from 1755 to 1783 - but with a simple and elegant new simultaneous turn-based engine.

Another day, another batch of game trailers was released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Far Cry Instincts: Predator [X360] - PC vs X360 Trailer
• Battlefield 2: Modern Combat [X360] - Trailer #2
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Disgaea 2 incorporates some of the same features it did in the original to retain its “Do anything & try everything” heritage while making radical innovations that include suggestions from game fans. Disgaea 2 is scheduled to be released in North America August 2006.

Featuring an even deeper playbook that covers both ends of the court, NCAA March Madness 06 delivers the ultimate strategic basketball experience. Dominate rivals with a more authentic brand of defense and push the ball on offense with an enhanced Floor General Playcalling system featuring more sets than ever before.

Activision announced today that two of its games were honored at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' Ninth Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Call of Duty 2: Big Red One earned "Outstanding Achievement in Story and Character Development" and The Movies was named "Simulation Game of the Year."

Fire Department 3 takes the accurate portrayal of the fire fighter's realm to the next level thanks to a new technological platform that allows for an incomparably rich and realistic game experience.

Dead or Alive 4 will redefine 3-D high definition graphics and sound, creating the most visually beautiful and realistic looking video game to date. DOA features online capabilities via Xbox Live, new interactive stages, an all star line-up of old and new favorite characters, and the most complex countering system yet.

Ninety-Nine Nights is a fantasy action game that mixes action game with strategy elements. You control a massive army that is challenged by hordes of enemies, in a multi-angle scenario, where you can assume the role of various characters and see the game world from totally different points of view.

State of Emergency 2 takes place 10 years after the original and has Spanky, Bull and MacNeill again up against the Corporation. This time, they not only have access to guns but also - for the first time - helicopters, speedboats, Tanks and APCs and new team members.

Another day, another batch of game trailers was released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Auto Assault - Final Trailer
• Empire Earth II: The Art of Supremacy - Behind the Scenes #3
• Battle of Europe: Royal Air Forces - Trailer #2
• Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach - Characters Pack
• Pursuit Force [PSP] - Story Trailer
• Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War - Trailer #9
• Rush for Berlin - Trailers (2)
• Samurai Warriors: State of War [PSP] - Trailer
• 
  
  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

Valve has changed the Half-Life 2: Aftermath name to Half-Life 2: Episode One, and will release content in a series of episodes according to GameSpot. Similar to Ritual's SiN Episodes, Valve will use its Steam content delivery to offer several episodes instead of full addons, according to Valve' Doug Lombardi. An estimated released date for Half-Life 2: Episode One was not revealed.

Project-Zero has released the long in development new patch for Jowood's online shooter Soldner: Secret Wars. This update brings your retail game to v33668 and adds new weapons, maps, optimized portal and netcode, balances all weapons and vehicles to encourage teamplay.

UPDATE: An updated patch/server has been released addressing an installation issue.

Eidos Interactive today confirms that Commandos Strike Force, developed by Pyro Studios, will be released on April 4th, 2006 on PS2, Xbox and PC in North America.

LucasArts and TT Games today announced their plans to release LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, the sequel to one of the best-selling video games of 2005. Created by TT Games and developed by Traveller's Tales, LEGO Star Wars II is slated for release this fall across seven platforms.

Fight Night Round 3 brings the most intense boxing experience to gamers. Film-quality graphics showcase devastating punch impacts unparalleled in any game or film. On the way to becoming boxing's greatest legend, train to fight like the best including Muhammad Ali or create a boxing style unique only to your boxer.

In “Painkiller: Hell Wars,” gamers play the role of Daniel Garner, who after an unfortunate car accident is trapped between Heaven and Hell. To escape purgatory and find his salvation, he must fight mobs of hellish monsters to stop an imminent Unholy War.

Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny is a sequel RPG to Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana for the PS2. Atelier Iris 2 takes synthesizing to a new level, with new game play, features, and improved graphics, create, customize, and enhance your items and weapons. Experience an epic adventure that crosses two different worlds. And battle evil to save the world from utter destruction.