Shippin' Out July 28-August 1: Soulcalibur IV, Geometry Wars 2

July 28, 2008 5:06PM PDT

Headliners join Atlus' Spectral Force 3 on the 360, the first episode of American McGee's Grimm for PCs, and Pong Toss on WiiWare, among others.

Only a scant few weeks remain in 2008's unseasonably busy summer schedule, but the gaming industry isn't taking time off before the holiday rush.

This week, Namco Bandai steals the headline slot with Soulcalibur IV. Along with the game's returning cast that includes Siegfried, Ivy, Cassandra, and Cervantes, LucasArts will be lending Darth Vader and Yoda to the respective PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions. Making proper lightsaber duels a possibility, both games will also include Vader's apprentice as a playable character. For a look at Vader and Yoda's prowess in the ring, check out GameSpot Live's stage show from this year's E3 Media & Business Summit.

While merely an Xbox Live Arcade download, Bizarre Creations' Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 is sure to arouse the excitement of a number of Xbox 360 gamers. The sequel to 2005's top-down dual-stick shooter adds in six new modes, including local co-op and competitive for up to four. It will be available this Wednesday for 800 Microsoft points ($10), double the original's sticker price. Japanese-gaming specialist Atlus will also bring its fantasy turn-based strategy title Spectral Force 3 exclusively to the 360 this week.

American McGee--best known for the twisted interpretation of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland--will bring his signature brand of demented storytelling to life this week in the first episode of Grimm. Titled A Boy Learns What Fear Is, the downloadable game is the first in a 24-episode series available for download exclusively through GameTap.

Nintendo has also dropped by this week with a fresh update to its WiiWare and Virtual Console game-download services. On the original game front, JV Games' Pong Toss will undoubtedly find footing among frat-house dwellers at a loss for ping pong balls. The party game accommodates up to four and is available for 800 Wii points ($8). Chase HQ, a cops-and-robbers driving game originally released for the TurboGrafx-16, can be downloaded for 600 Wii points ($6), and SNK's Art of Fighting 2 can be had for 900 Wii points ($9).

This week's new releases are listed below (list taken from retailer information--actual dates may vary).

JULY 28, 2008
Art of Fighting 2 (Wii VC)
Chase H.Q. (Wii VC)
Hunting Unlimited 2009 (PC)
Pong Toss (WiiWare)

JULY 29, 2008
Art of Murder: FBI Confidential (PC)
City Life 2008 Edition (PC)
Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm (PC)
Everlight (PC)
King of Clubs (Wii)
MLB Power Pros 2008 (Wii, PS2)
Puzzler Collection (Wii)
SNK Arcade Classics Volume 1 (Wii)
Soulcalibur IV (X360, PS3)
Spectral Force 3 (X360)
Summer Athletics (X360, Wii, PS2)

JULY 30, 2008
Air Traffic Chaos (DS)
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 (XBLA)

JULY 31, 2008
American McGee's Grimm (PC)
Baseball Mogul 2009 (PC)
Beijing 2008 - The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games (PC)
Build in Time (PC)

AUGUST 1, 2008
Legend: Hand of God (PC)

By Tom Magrino

Tom Magrino has covered the games industry since 2006. He's been compared to Steve Martin by Ozzy Osbourne and Daniel Craig by Tim Schafer. His voice, heard largely on GameSpot's podcast, recalls that of Kermit the Frog. It ain't easy bein' Magreen.

Follow @TMag_GS

63 comments

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tequilero

Must buy some of this games.

peetowser

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Jazz_Fan

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Jazz_Fan

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hegetshiskeys

[This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

Vasot

[This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

hegetshiskeys

My comment was totally fair guys! Why delete my comments?! Just because I spoke my mind??! There were no explicits whatsoever and you know it!!!! It makes me wonder just how much Microsoft pays you guys to run this ******** fanboy site!! Whatever you say, lol!!

peetowser

[This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

Vasot

[This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

peetowser

Yep PxelJunk's Eden did come out, as well as SnakeBall which was (supposedly) already available since may... ? Gamespot ? Anyone home ? WTF is this a 6 day weekend, or was Eden too irrelevant? Maybe Snakeball but sheesh, did anyone at GS try the demo???

GhostyMcboo

I'm not sure they made the breasts big enough in SC4... they shouldn't have shipped it in such an unfinished state.

peetowser

Hmmmm I saw PixelJunk's Eden listed as coming the 31st..... Did Gamespot overlook that??

hegetshiskeys

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kos1085

Soul Calibur 4 is great but how in the heck does the number one person on Standard (PS3) has 370 wins already...I hate people who get it before everyone else making it hard to catch up.

raimgamer

This is one of the best fighting games ever!

jimmyjazz_518

sciv uber allies! (i know my spelling is horrible, but i gotta run and it HAD to be said... nothing against other games... i'm just loving this game =DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD )

SalarianChemist

Darth Vader is confirmed to be in the Xbox 360 version of Soul Caliber 4! TeamXbox confirmed this in their review of the game, and Gamers Reports even has screenshots! The Xbox 360 version is definitely the one I'm going to get, because it has both Vader and Yoda! The PS3 version "may not receive a download of Yoda, and if it does it will not happen initially." That's why the screenshots and video are of the Xbox 360 version. The Xbox 360 and PS3 version both have a native resolution of 720p, but only the Xbox 360 version is upconverted to 1080p. Also, I don't want to spend $60 on a PS3 controller to have rumble functions...I like the idea of having a controller rumble when you're hit in a fighting game, so Xbox 360 gets the advantage there, too. Achievements are another reason I'm going with the Xbox 360. The Playstation 3 version still doesn't have trophies. Xbox 360 version, here I come! I can't wait for the Vader download so I can see Vader vs Yoda on my Xbox 360!

cooldude03

Of course Soul Calibur IV is the must hit this week, but I'm looking forward to Geometry Wars 2. The first is still one of the best Xbox Live Arcade out there. The co-op should be a great addition .

ShadoweaverCode

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ShadoweaverCode

dreadnought666 - Hey if it works for you, then that's cool man. That site was all Sony rubbish though. =(

NightRain

Already got Soul Calibur IV and it's GREAT!!! Now I can't wait for tomorrow to download Geometry Wars 2. :)

ps3thabest

ShadoweaverCode -thanks

ShadoweaverCode

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

flackstone

dreadnought666 really depends on the game dude.

dreadnought666

The d pad completely matters in all fighting games whether they are 2D or not. Here is an interesting article, read number 2. http://www.nextgg.com/5-Reasons-the-DualShock3-Rocks-01.html

ShadoweaverCode

xgalacticax - "Oh well, probably get the PS3 one cos I'd get beat if I went on Xbox live with that 360 controller." Learn to use the joysticks man. Using the d-pad is only good for 2d Street Fighter games and even then you can adapt. It's equally (if not more) precise and saves you from shreddin up the thumb from those dang hudoken-style thumb slides. And IMO 360 joystick > ps3 joystick, but I guess it all comes down to preference and loyalty =)

akiwak

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ShadoweaverCode

ps3thabest - "isnt kratos gonna be in it? " No Kratos, just Vader for PS3. 360 folk get Yoda. =) A Gamestop employee told me they'd have downloadable versions of the other characters on each console, but it was the first time i'd heard of it.

ps3thabest

i cant wait for sc4. isnt kratos gonna be in it or is that a rumor for the ps3 version?

ShadoweaverCode

SC4 is going to ROCK!! It's my favorite fighting series by far!

jackrocks123

none really i just get it went its like £20, also wheres all the reviews for soul caliber and ferrari challenge? come gamespot

SavoyPrime ranger

SCIV doesn't have much competition this week, so it should do well. I'm gonna pass on it though. Namco has killed the series in my opinion.

jedikevin2

Soulcalibur w00t. To bad within a day, everyone will find out all the cheap get you stuck in combo while just landing on ground moves like what happened all other soulcaliber games.

kos1085

Picking up my SC IV limited edition for the PS3 this afternoon.

dreadnought666

How is PixelJunk Eden not on this list? It might be the best game released this week. DS3 = PS3 SC4 > 360 SC4

Simple_malk

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xgalacticax

Yay! Soul Calibur. Next question....360 or PS3? my 360 has the HD monitor and Xbox live but the controller sucks for fighting games. My PS3 has the crappy SD TV and the best controller for a fighting game..........Oh well, probably get the PS3 one cos I'd get beat if I went on Xbox live with that 360 controller.

Zero_Beat

Come on Gamespot, PixelJunk eden's out this Thursday too. Gran Turismo 5: Prologue gets a big Gran Turismo TV and other improvements/additions update, and Life with PlayStation is also meant to be released this week.

Game_God_Guru

i really wish namco bandai would release the whereabouts of the playstation 3 version of tekken 6.

AlucardsFate

"ProtegeRuckus" I certainly hope so....SC3 was a mess...

Pete5506

I am thinking about getting Soul Calibur 4, and maybe Geometry Wars

ProtegeRuckus

And the Soul still burns...

BigDaddy973

Nothing good

Viral-venom13

Well Soul Calibur 4 is here but more than likely i'd preffer the ps3 version since it has Vader not to get the 360 version down as it packs my favorite jedi yoda who just kicks ass!!

AngelsongCA

Spectral Force 3 is coming out tomorrow. Where is the demo? It's almost out. Bleh, I'll probably like it anyway.

360player_eq12

I really want to see these Soul Calibur IV reviews... I am getting the game regardless tho.

godzillavskong

Man, I might actually buy this title for my PS3 instead of my 360, simply because Darth Vader kicks @ss. Start working on my Trophies.

cosmo16

i was so excited about sc4 then my f%$#@#$% 360 breaks down. this really sucks

lamprey263

just Geometry Wars for me, I'm not that big of a Soul Calibur fan

PS2_PC_FAN

we're all picking up SC 4 tom. Add me guys on PSN, NYclown cyaz guys online!

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