Out This Week – 01/04/2011
Xperia Play! Shift 2! Tiger Woods!
Last Friday the improbable happened: the UK saw the launch of two new hardware units, the Nintendo 3DS and the iPad 2.
But that hasn't stopped the gaming launch gods from doling out yet another new gaming-related platform.
This Friday sees the launch of the Xperia Play, Sony Ericsson's PlayStation Phone. That is, of course, unless you're a die-hard O2 fan, in which case you'll have to wait until the network provider has ironed out all the software bugs that it revealed last week.
Elsewhere, it's a somewhat muted affair after last week's din. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters is yet another release in the annual franchise. But what makes this one different is the focus away from Tiger himself towards The Masters – a license EA Sports has secured for the first time. The question is, is this what video game golf fans want?
Shift 2: Unleashed, the Need for Speed game without the Need for Speed, also launches this Friday. Developer Slightly Mad has been outspoken in its dissatisfaction with racing simulation rivals Gran Turismo and Forza. But now it's time to stop talking and start driving.
This Week in Shops!
Xperia Play
- Developer: Sony Ericsson
- Publisher: Sony Ericsson
- Formats: Android
What is it? Gaming phone that sits somewhere between the iPhone and the Next Generation Portable. What does Eurogamer think? Oli went hands-on with the Xperia Play last month. His thoughts: "Xperia Play may well be the best phone to play traditional games on, but it seems unlikely to divert the mobile market away from its focus on simple touch-screen games – unless Sony Computer Entertainment puts its considerable muscle behind the platform."
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters
- Developer: EA Tiburon
- Publisher: EA Sports
- Formats: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
What is it? Golfing simulation with Tiger Woods name on. What does Eurogamer think? Eurogamer's review is in the works.
Shift 2: Unleashed
- Developer: Slightly Mad Studios
- Publisher: EA
- Formats: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
What is it? Racing simulation follow-up from the makers of Need for Speed: Shift. What does Eurogamer think? Eurogamer's review goes live tomorrow, Tuesday 29th March.
What Else?
- WWE All Stars (PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360)
- Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime (PSN)
- MotorStorm Apocalypse (PS3)
- Islands of Wakfu (XBLA)
- Moon Diver (PSN)
- Swarm (PSN)
- Rush 'N' Attack Ex-Patriot (XBL)
- Combat of Giants (3DS)
- Rabbids 3D (3DS)
- The Third Birthday (PSP)
Chart Predictions!
Each week one of the team will step up to predict the UK all-formats chart. The following predicts the outcome for the week beginning Friday 1st April (to be reported on Monday 4th April).
Johnny Minkley, Editor, Eurogamer TV
"Looking at the latest UK charts, the big question is: did we (and by 'we' I mean games publishers, retail and the press) overestimate the demand for 3DS at launch? Its top-selling title, Super Street Fighter IV 3D, entered at a seemingly impressive number four - but that's understood to be in numbers well down on what would be expected for a major console launch. I don't expect any 3DS titles to make next week's top five. EA's big beasts, NFS and Tiger, should have a big impact, with Crysis 2 and LEGO continuing to sell in decent numbers. That said, I'd love to see the fantastic MotorStorm Apocalypse, whose release was delayed until the 31st, sneak in there."
- Need For Speed: Shift II
- Crysis 2
- Tiger Woods 12
- LEGO Star Wars III
- Homefront
Eurogamer senior staff writer Robert Purchese peered into his crystal ball last week. We've made a fancy table to show how he did.
| Position | The Truth | The Prediction | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crysis 2 | Crysis 2 | YES! |
| 2 | LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars | Nintendogs + Cats (Golden Retriever) | NO! |
| 3 | Homefront | Homefront | YES! |
| 4 | Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition | Dragon Age II | NO! |
| 5 | Pokémon White | Pro Evolution Soccer 3D | NO! |