JOE’s Gaming Round Up

JOE's Gaming Round-up features the release of Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed and the much-anticipated but delayed launch of Motorstorm Apocalypse.

JOE

JOE’s Gaming Round-up features the release of Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed and the much-anticipated but delayed launch of Motorstorm Apocalypse.

By Emmet Purcell

Welcome to another week of JOE’s videogame round-up. As always, we’re looking to provide you with up-to-the-minute news, download reviews, weekly charts and forthcoming release dates on a weekly basis.

So if there’s anything you think we’re leaving out, or would like us to shine a spotlight on, feel free to leave a comment below.

News

Nintendo responds to early complaints of 3DS headaches and crashes

Our heads hurt simply from staring at the garish ‘Aqua Blue’ colour scheme

Are you enjoying your new Nintendo 3DS console? Then consider yourself lucky, as plenty of early adopters for the glasses-free handheld have been complaining of persistent crashes, a dreaded ‘black screen of death’ and headaches from prolonged play.

Nintendo have already commented on the error messages that some users have experienced, with a spokesperson stating, “If the problems still persist we recommend they contact their local Nintendo customer service centre to investigate the problem.”

Nintendo’s head of communications Robert Saunders also told Maxconsole that players complaining of headaches may have been playing the console for longer than the company recommends in one sitting.

“We have shown Nintendo 3DS at multiple events around the world to literally hundreds of thousands of people and have received very few negative comments,” he said.

“As with anything that requires focus, from reading to staring at a computer screen, taking frequent breaks is always recommended.

Trailer for final Mass Effect 2 DLC, ‘Arrival’, lands

Bioware’s trailers simply can’t be beat these days

Did you stupidly trade in Mass Effect 2, thinking that Bioware were done with post-release downloadable content? Granted, you’re probably not the only one to have done so, but you’ll be green with envy when you take a look at the DLC trailer for Arrival, which hits the PSN and XBLA this week.

Take a look at the clip above and see if you reckon that Arrival appears to be bridging the gap between ME2 and the forthcoming Mass Effect 3, particularly as the clip seems to be foreshadowing the reaper invasion of Earth in the latter. Either way, a final download for Mass Effect 2 fills us with plenty of excitement, particularly if it serves a prequel for one of most anticipated future releases.

Download of the Week

XBLA Triple Pack (coming May 13)

Three of the best XBLA releases in this pack

Granted, the above release isn’t a ‘Download of the week’ (that would be Mass Effect: Arrival, featured above), but we couldn’t resist pointing you all in the direction of an upcoming Xbox Live Arcade Triple Pack, which includes 48-hour Xbox Live gold subscription and 160 Microsoft points upon launch on May 13. The pack includes three undisputed classics for Microsoft’s download service – Trials HD, Limbo and ‘Splosion Man.

Friday Releases 01/04/11

Shift 2 is set to become the biggest racing sim since Gran Turismo 5

It’s a big week for racing fans, especially PS3 owners, who will have to decide upon either our top pick Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed or Motorstorm Apocalypse. The latter was delayed by two weeks out of respect for the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, as the title invokes doomsday scenarios for its racing tracks. Elsewhere, Tiger Woods returns to consoles with PGA Tour 12: The Masters, while WWE fans may want to steer clear of WWE All Stars this Wrestlemania weekend – early impressions suggest that it’s a big of a dog.

Out this Friday:

Xbox 360

Dynasty Warriors 7

Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters

WWE All Stars

Playstation 3

Ar Tonelico Qoga

Dynasty Warriors 7

Motorstorm Apocalypse

Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters