Gaming Memorial Weekend

GameSpot and ZDNet's Launchpad bring you three online demo premieres in time for Memorial Day weekend! On Thursday it was all about Drakan, but Friday we debuted the demos for EA's Need for Speed: High Stakes and Microsoft's Links Extreme.

In the Need for Speed: High Stakes demo you can race your modified Porsche 911 Turbo against your opponents through a European village and countryside (alternating between day and night each time it's run). The track is the Route Adonf in France.

Links Extreme comes from Microsoft and Access Software and is a fantasy golf game that's low on etiquette and high on competition. The demo includes two golfers, two levels of the Demolition Driving Range, and lessons on swinging and driving range strategies. Unfortunately, there are no multiplayer capabilities.

We've also premiered a new Heavy Gear II movie from Activision that was shown at this year's E3. It features new cutscenes and gameplay footage. And we've just received a new build of Heavy Gear 2 to give you even more insight into the game on Tuesday.