Activision is packaging their answer to 'Rock Band'; 'Guitar Hero: World Tour", in a bundle package that will cost you anywhere from $179-189.99; about 20 dollars more than Rock Band's bundle. Below is the of possible packages from the company:

• GH: World Tour Game ($59.99 on PS3/360 - $49.99 on Wii/PS2),


• GH: World Tour - Guitar Kit ($99.00 for Guitar Kit Alone)


• GH: World Tour - Full Band Kit (Guitar, Mic, and Drum Kit - $189.99 360, PS3 & Wii, $179.99 PS2)

Electronic Arts has finally revealed the first official trailer for the upcoming, Superman Returns: The Videogame. A pre-rendered video made from Xbox 360 in-game assets, the new teaser shows the Man of Steel battling against his ore-powered foe Metallo in the skies of Metropolis. Giant rockets, scared citizens, and the classic 1970s Superman score are also included.

via IGN

Major update for Dashboard and games “out soon”; webcam on the way

An inside source at Microsoft informed the guys at xboxic about an upcoming update for the Xbox 360. Microsoft hopes the update will address the common problems in both games and the system itself writes xboxic. It will contain fixes for all currently known lockups in games, missing or impossible to get achievements and a bunch of new functionality in the Dashboard.

The Xbox 360 webcam accessory is going to be released simultaneously or slightly after, because one of the Dashboard modifications is going to be camera support.

Seen at Engadget

Dead or Alive 4 for Xbox 360 will be released tommorrow for the lucky few xbox 360 owners. The new game takes advantage of the superior technology of Xbox 360, to redefine 3D fighter games.

Go wild with a new fighting system, larger tournament groups, detailed scoreboards and more. Form clans, or just enter the lobby areas to talk with other DOA fans. Best of all, the fighting system allows even more mastery and strategy of your favorite character -- including the most complex DOA countering system yet!

$59 at amazon

Gaming stores in the US are taking orders for the Xbox 360 release of 2006, Halo 3. Some stores are already displaying banners and assorted goodies with Halo 3 logos, inscribed ‘Coming 2006 – Reserve yours today.’

This whole pre-order thing is going a little to far, Microsoft has been mute on the Halo 3 launch. The only hint the company gave was when Bill Gates said that the PS3 would ‘walk right into’ Halo 3 upon its release.

So that could be Spring or it Could be November 2006. Knowing Microsoft that will probably be November.

via

Japanese carmaker, Nissan is showing off a new six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive sports car that will come with a built-in Xbox gaming system and driver-integrated cockpit. According to Gadget Buzz no word on whether this Xbox system is based on the new Xbox 360 platform or how it works. I imagine if the Xbox 360 takes off like say the iPod this concept car could be paving the way for that Xbox 360 option on new cars.

via Gadget Buzz. Image Cnet

If a report in Japan's Jiji News service is to be believed, Microsoft has entered final stages with Toshiba and other HD-DVD backers on the development of an HD-DVD capable Xbox 360. The company is looking into the possibility of releasing the updated version of the hardware next year reports IGN

Previously, Microsoft Japan representatives have suggested that HD-DVD will be a part of the Xbox 360's future, albeit for movie playback only.

A group of crackers called Team PI Coder says it has discovered the basic workings of Microsoft's Xbox 360 file system reports BBC. The information has helped the group dig out the raw data from the console for 13 Xbox 360 games.

The data is said to be similar to current generation Xbox games.

"Once you get past the protections and down to the raw bits on the disc, it's just the standard xboxdvdfs, however the offset and layer breakpoint are different," the group wrote in release notes.

In response Microsoft said its console had several security systems in place that would prevent pirated games being played on it.

Microsoft has announced 12 backward compatible titles for the Japan Xbox 360 launch scheduled for the 10th of December.

200+ backward compatible titles were announced for the US launch on November 22nd.

The following is a list of backward compatible titles available for the Japan Launch:

* Crimson Skies
* Fable
* Forza Motorsport
* Grand Theft Auto Double Pack
* Halo
* Halo 2
* Halo 2 Map pack
* Jade Empire
* Ninja Gaiden
* Ninja Gaiden Black
* Rainbox Six 3
* The Simpsons Hit and Run

via

One of the questions surrounding the launch of Xbox 360 is backward compatibility.

Xbox.com has set up a full list of all backward compatible games

Note: A software emulator is required for each original Xbox game you play on your Xbox 360 console.

According to US games retailers Best Buy and EB Games , Halo 3 will launch May 2006.

Over the weekend both shops listed the game for pre-order in the US for $59.99. Best Buy / May 15 2006 - EB Games / May 30 2006 .

via

Japanese publisher SEGA has confirmed a new version of Sonic the Hedgehog for the Xbox 360 due later this year and the Sony Playstation 3 due next year.

The company hard at work on a reinvention, also announced a variety of other games for the new consoles.

Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the country has unveiled three Microsoft Xbox 360 bundles --two priced just under $580, and one priced just under $620.

The more expensive bundle contains the Xbox 360 Premium System, a 12-month Xbox Live Gold card, an additional wireless controller, a play and charge kit, and the choice of two games. The other two systems feature the Xbox 360 Core System, a wireless controller, a play and charge kit, a headset, a 64MB memory unit, and the option of taking either a 12-month Xbox Live subscription and two games, or forgoing Xbox Live and picking up a third game writes GameSpot

Amazon (us) is taking pre-orders for a number of games for the Microsoft Xbox 360. Quake 4 priced at $59.99 will ship on November 14. XB360 Madden NFL 2006 priced at $59.99 will ship on November 15.