Microsoft Game Studios and Valve today announced that Counter-Strike" for Xbox has stormed store shelves in North America for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.). Counter-Strike, the most popular action game on the planet, explodes onto Xbox and Xbox Live, bringing with it unparalleled multiplayer tactical combat and new content exclusive to Xbox. Counter-Strike for Xbox includes all new counter-terrorist and terrorist teams, an impressive array of graphical enhancements and ultra-responsive controls optimized for Xbox. The heart-pounding action spans over 18 highly diverse maps including seven new multiplayer maps and 11 completely enhanced Counter-Strike fan favorites, as well as upcoming maps downloadable via Xbox Live.

Attention future Jedi! LucasArts is pleased to announce that Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy for the Xbox has shipped and is in stores now. Immerse yourself in the Star Wars universe as you take on the role of an eager Jedi apprentice ready to learn the ways of the Force from Master Luke Skywalker. Create your own character, customize your lightsaber and choose your adventure through a variety of missions in classic Star Wars locations. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy which was developed by Raven Software and Vicarious Visions is rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB and retails for $49.95.

Specialist online games developer CAT Games has finalised an agreement with the NHL to launch an updated version of the online Ice Hockey management game called SeniorLeagueHockey. SeniorLeagueHockey.com is now the Premier Online Management Game of the NHL and is navigable directly from www.NHL.com. SeniorLeagueHockey.com has already attracted over 100,000 active managers, and the number is growing rapidly.

As the annual holiday shopping season kicks into gear, Atari, Inc. today announced its 2003 Holiday Lineup, which represents one of the strongest in the Company's history, and features several titles that are already exceeding the Company's expectations... Check the lineup below!

THQ Inc. today announced that it has delivered its most comprehensive and impressive videogame lineup to date, well in advance of the busy holiday shopping season. From enthusiast titles like "WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain," "Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy" and "Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior" to mass market games like "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle For Bikini Bottom," "SplashDown Rides Gone Wild" and "Tak and the Power of Juju," all for multiple gaming systems, THQ is offering great gameplay sure to make the wish lists of gamers of all ages.

Lucasarts let us know that 'Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic' PC Version - is available in stores today!

Long before the Galactic Civil War, an epic drama begins... Engage in this saga set in the Golden Age of the Republic - over 4,000 years before the first Star Wars film, when both Jedi and Sith number in the thousands. With the Galaxy reeling from a recent conflict with the Dark Lords, the ongoing battle between the Jedi and the Sith rages on. Your actions determine the outcome of this colossal galactic war - and your destiny as a Jedi.

Experience combat in a true 3D battlefield as machinegun tracers arc overhead and exploding artillery shells shake the earth! Watch the famous Deutsches Afrika Korps storm the fortress of Tobruk, or help the US and British forces defend against powerful German counterstrikes at Anzio. Fight with the elite German Fallschirmjäger units in Crete, or follow General Patton's sweep across the island of Sicily. Battlefront.com has released a multi-language demo (German, French & English) for their upcoming turn-based/realtime 3D WWII tactical combat sim letting you try out 2 scenarios (Fruhlingswind and Line of Defense) in single/multiplayer mode. Read more for download links ...

Aspyr announced today that Star Trek Elite Force II is shipping for the Macintosh. In this sequel to the critically acclaimed first person shooter game, players resume the role of Alexander Munro, chief of the Hazard Team, Starfleet's elite security unit. Now assigned to the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-E, players will explore strange new worlds, battle against both new and familiar civilizations and go on the most dangerous assignments in the galaxy. Star Trek Elite Force II was developed by Ritual Entertainment and the Macintosh conversion was done by Westlake Interactive.

Jaleco Entertainment has teamed up with Matchroom Sport and the International Professional Pool Players Association (IPA) to bring the world's best players and most prestigious competitions to WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POOL 2004, the pool simulation video game for PC CD-ROM, PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft.

'WE'RE gonna party, like it's your birthday', 4am are havin' it large in da house with its latest title release; CyberGroove – the first ever PC dance mat game, which will feature downloadable tracks and dance steps, keeping it fresh for many years to come. Read more for details & screens ...

Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing division of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. announced today that Manhunt for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system has shipped to retail stores throughout North America. Manhunt will be in stores in Europe on November 21, 2003. Manhunt is developed by Rockstar North, the developers behind the global blockbuster Grand Theft Auto franchise.

With literally a whole world of water available in Digital Jester's glorious PC CD-ROM sailing simulation Virtual Skipper 3, virtual yachtsmen and women will need of a reliable map charting the oceans of resources available for the game. Welcome, then, to the Virtual Skipper Headquarters - the one-stop-dock for all things Virtual Skipper-related. Designed to appeal to both virtual and real-life yachts-fans, it introduces the Virtual Skipper world alongside news and information from the sailing community.

Dragon Empires promises to be a groundbreaking MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game). The world will be filled with embattled clans, each striving to prove their superiority in head-to-head group combat, as they aim to take political and economic control of the game's 50 magnificent cities and, ultimately, 5 empires. A few new screens trickled in, check them out ..

Lords of EverQuest brings the best elements of the real-time strategy world together with the epic storyline and depth of the legendary EverQuest fantasy roleplaying game. By capitalizing on the rich history, detailed characters and literally hundreds of monsters found in EverQuest, and building upon successful feature sets of the RTS genre, Lords of EverQuest creates a revolutionary gaming experience. Check out some new screens ...

Rewarding drivers for focusing on speed and style while still taking risks around every corner, "Project Gotham Racing 2" offers circuit-based racing through highly detailed, photorealistic urban environments. Racers can choose from more than 50 of the hottest cars while learning their way around new and exciting cities, mastering corners, and accelerating through the straightaways before moving to a different venue. Players also can race against up to three friends at once through a multiplayer SystemLink or match up against players online utilizing Xbox Live.

Pursue the world’s most dangerous fugitives across 5 sprawling real world locations. Dole out cruel and unusual punishment as you engage fugitives in fierce hand to hand combat and bring the worlds most wanted to justice! Read more for the full review ...

Oxygen Interactive, the UK based Computer Game Publisher can today announce that they have launched a micro-site for the Sci Fi Flight Sim Echelon Wind Warriors. The site features extensive information about the game as well as downloadable screenshots, wallpapers, competitions, forums and other game assets. The site is accessible via the Oxygen Interactive website www.oxygenint.com.

Railroad Tycoon 3 offers a fully realised 3D gaming world, scaling from eye in the sky views of entire continents down to incredibly detailed close-ups of beautifully modelled locomotives, buildings and landscapes. Players of Railroad Tycoon 3 begin the game with a modest sum of capital at the beginning of the Golden Era of Railroading and expand their empire into major cities, while purchasing the latest locomotives, forcing competitors into bankruptcy, and exploiting the stock market to become the ultimate Railroad Tycoon. Read more for the full review ...

Combat Mission: Afrika Korps is a 1-2 player, hybrid turn-based/realtime 3D simulation of WWII tactical warfare in parts of the Mediterranean Theater including Italy, North and East Africa and Crete from 1940 to 1945. It is based on the award winning engine of Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin..

The official numbers are in, and they confirm that Nintendo GameCube is upending the console video game market. The Sept. 25 price drop of Nintendo GameCube to an MSRP of $99.99 continues to have a massive ripple effect throughout the video game industry, according to October's Toy Retail Sales Tracking Service (TRSTS).. More about it below!

In this gritty and darkly humorous 3rd person action adventure, players join the courageous Brotherhood of Steel, whose mission is to maintain peace in the grim post-apocalyptic world of Fallout. Battling raiders, mutants and a host of radioactive nightmares, players attempt to save the scattered remnants of the human race. Life is hard, mutation is rampant and the closet thing to law and order is the fusion-powered pistol that you carry on your hip. Read more for some juicy screens and a new trailer ...

Microsoft Corp. today announced the third wave of Platinum Hits titles for Xbox. The Xbox Platinum Hits lineup provides gamers with a choice of the most proven and critically acclaimed titles for Xbox, all available for an estimated retail price of $19.99 (U.S.) at most retailers.

Ubi Soft's Paris studio is currently developing a brand new game from the popular Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon series - exclusively for the PS2. Scheduled to ship for the late 2003, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Jungle Storm is poised to become the latest success story in a series of hit Tom Clancy games from Ubi Soft. Check these 8 new screens ...

Ubisoft's highly-anticipated Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has officially shipped for all major consoles, with the Nintendo GameCube version heading for retail today. The PC version will follow in the coming weeks. With fluid animations, ingenious and challenging level design, a gripping story and an inimitable hero with the ability to manipulate time, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time delivers an extraordinary, singular gaming experience - one that's been repeatedly mentioned as a strong candidate for Game of the Year by several industry heavyweights.