Set in the near future, speed heads will be able to take control of one of a selection of bizarre characters and pilot a 'blade', a jet-engined, anti-gravity bike, around tracks designed to rattle nerves and brain alike. The ultimate goal is to master both the blade and 24 different circuits at break-neck speed across exotic locations such as a partially terra-formed planet and a sub-tropical jungle in a distant part of the galaxy. Evolved Games today announced the release date of Powerdrome, the fastest racing experience for PlayStation 2 and Xbox, as April 2004.

If you like your women with a sense of adventure then you're going to love the 29 levels of platform mayhem in Malice. You'll find yourself trekking through completely original environments from the Orrery, the gigantic clockwork heart of the universe, to the toxic river basin of Gloop River or the infernal Fire Fortress. What more do you want from a woman; a sense of adventure, great personality and sexy looks. Malice on PlayStation 2 and Xbox will make the perfect date when it is published by Evolved Games in March. Read more for some new screens ...

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.

The storyline follows the player through the major actions in the conflict, from search and destroy missions around Danang airbase to the Tet offensive and the counterattack on Hue. A cast of AI controlled characters accompanies the player through the missions, and he learns their value and mourns their loss as the war progresses. The game will support a cooperative mode that allows the player to experience the entire tour of duty with his friends, and various multiplayer modes allow the player to experience the war from the perspective of North Vietnamese Army or Viet Cong guerillas as well as US Forces.

Microsoft today announced the launch of the Crystal Limited Edition Xbox, "clearly" aimed at gamers who crave some added style along with their fantastic Xbox game experiences. Available across Europe from Spring 2004, the "crystal clear" new console comes with two crystal controllers and will retail for €199/£139 (SRP). Read more for details and some screens ...

This Mercury News article has more details on Microsoft's next-gen Xbox which according to the "rumors" will feature three 64-bit IBM processors, as being used in the Apple's G5, an ATI processor that'll rival the upcoming R400, 256/512 MB DDR RAM, either DVD or Blu-Ray DVD format discs, and most shockingly of all no hard drive. TeamXbox, known for their often spot on inside sources & rumors, reveal more on the graphical side of things with revelation of HDTV visuals with full screen Anti-Aliasing, etc. More details to be found on TeamXbox's Sunday coverage (thanks Cesar).

Riddick is Vivendi Universal's upcoming prison-action game developed by Starbreeze, excusively for the Xbox. It serves as a prequel to Pitch Black and its sequel, the upcoming Chronicles of Riddick. The game is being developed by Swedish developer Starbreeze, also known for 2002's Enclave. Today we serve up an interview with Starbreeze producer Lars Johansson. Read more to check it out, new screenshots included ...

Take an adventure as Pitfall Harry, the daring, risk-taking explorer who laughs in the face of danger. Featuring over 50 levels of fast-paced action and puzzle solving adventures, the game challenges players to swing, fight, climb and crawl through eight types of treacherous South American environments including lush jungles, dark tombs, ancient Aztec ruins and glacial mountains. Check out some new screens ...

EA sent out notice to announce that James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing has officially gone gold for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube. The game is on track to ship to North American retailers under the EA GAMES brand on Tuesday, February 17th, and will be in stores by Thursday, February 19th.

From the developers of Madden NFL Football comes a new brand of football where style is BIG: NFL STREET. NFL STREET blends fast paced arcade action with street culture to create a unique new gameplay experience where NFL stars become larger than life personalities. Players battle to earn the enhanced gear and attributes necessary to dominate the urban environments. Read more for the full review ...

Developed by Reflections Interactive, DRIV3R is an action-packed driving adventure game that stays true to its roots, incorporating the cinematic gameplay and gritty street crime of its predecessors with ground-breaking graphics and three mammoth, wide-open city environments: Miami, Florida; Nice, France; and Istanbul, Turkey. Check out some new screens (Thanks Jimmy!)

THQ Inc. and Clear Channel Entertainment's Motor Sports division today announced that supercross series' title sponsor THQ unveiled MX Unleashed as the official video game of the 2004 THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series. The game is available for demonstration at several of the series events that began with the inaugural race earlier this year and includes this weekend at Edison International Field in Anaheim, California. Currently at development in critically acclaimed Rainbow Studios, MX Unleashed will be available for the PlayStation2 and Xbox in February 2004.

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!

Crave Entertainment announced today that it will release of Future Tactics: The Uprising, an all-new action/role-playing game for the Xbox and GameCube. Crave recently announced that it would release Future Tactics: The Uprising for the PlayStation2. All three versions of Future Tactics: The Uprising will be available in the first quarter of 2004. Read more for details and new screens ...

Acclaim Entertainment today announced that they have reached a distribution agreement with Avalon Interactive for the forthcoming release of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II in the UK, France, Benelux and Germany. The game, which was developed by Black Isle Studios under license from The Hasbro Properties Group, will be available on the PlayStation2 and the Xbox on February 6, 2004. Read more for details and a HUGE batch of new screens ...

Samurai Jack is the highly stylized, Emmy-winning action cartoon from Genndy Tartakovsky, the creator of Dexter's Laboratory and the director of the popular new animated epic micro series, Star Wars: Clone Wars. "Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku" was developed for a broad audience by Amaze's Adrenium Games studio. It's a free roaming, easy to control action-adventure that's perfect for fans of the television series who are both casual players and hardcore gamers.

Hitman: Contracts delivers more action-packed and suspenseful missions, with a greater variety of ways to make the perfect hit and an increased arsenal of firearms and close-combat weapons. A new graphics engine showcases Hitman's 'work' in brutal detail and brings new locations to life. An improved control system and more gradual learning curve will ensure that the game is accessible to all aspiring hitmen. Hitman: Contracts is being developed by Io Interactive and will be available for PS2, Xbox, and PC in spring 2004.

Step up to the plate and master the true art of hitting with MVP Baseball 2004. An all-new hitting model allows for complete user control over all swing types as well as signature cuts from the game's best sluggers. Featuring rich new presentation, realistic player models, enhanced animations, and an immersive audio experience, MVP Baseball 2004 takes you out to the ballgame like never before. Read more for details & screens ...

SEGA of America today announced the launch of "SEGA GT Online" exclusively for the Xbox. The first simulation racer on Xbox to offer Xbox Live support, SEGA GT Online allows up to 12 players to compete simultaneously in white knuckle, dead-heat races guaranteed to challenge both their driving skills and their ability to trash talk.

Atari, Inc. today announced that it has elected to move the ship date of DRIV3R, the latest installment of the Company's Driver franchise, from the end of March to June 1, 2004.

SEGA of America, Inc. today announced the availability of "Sonic Heroes" on the Xbox and PlayStation2 . The first original Sonic The Hedgehog console game in three years is also the legendary speed demon's first appearance on Xbox and PlayStation 2 consoles. "Sonic Heroes" on GameCube was released on January 6.

SEGA of America, Inc. has announced that Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment have awarded it the license to publish a console game based on the popular Cartoon Network series Samurai Jack. The videogame developed by Amaze Entertainment, named "Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku," will be available on Microsoft Xbox, PlayStation2, and GameCube in March 2004.

While it has bbeen known for month, Codemasters today officially announced 'TOCA Race Driver 2: The Ultimate Racing Simulator'. One of the most successful brands in motor sport gaming is set to continue as Codemasters confirms that TOCA, the headline licence of its 5-million+ selling series, will be retained and the current Race Driver 2 game in development will be published as TOCA Race Driver 2: The Ultimate Racing Simulator. TOCA Race Driver 2 will launch spring 2004 for Xbox and PC, complete with Xbox Live and PC online functionality, and is designed to be the definitive racing game experience.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that the squad-based tactical shooter Brute Force has joined the list of Xbox Platinum Hits. The Xbox Platinum Hits lineup provides gamers with a choice of the most proven and critically acclaimed titles for Xbox, each available for an estimated retail price of $19.99 (U.S.) at most retailers. Platinum Hits games are sold in silver packaging with original product artwork. More information about Platinum Hits can be found at http://www.xbox.com/platinumhits.

Sensational graphics, awesome game play and absorbing scenarios will keep you riveted to this enthralling shooter, 3D extravaganza. Determination, skill and reflexes will all be required in huge amounts… 'Xyanide' features Xbox Live and will be released in February/March. Read more for some new Xbox screens ...