Rating: 8 Out of 10

Banjo and Kazooie are both back for the 360 in an interesting take of the Banjo Kazooie series. This game is different from the other games where this is a vehicle based adventure game where the faster you complete objectives in each world, the more prizes you win. The vehicular creation tool is very easy to do and you can make tons of different vehicles and share them with your friends. The missions can be tackled in a variety of ways, the graphics look amazing and the audio definitely is a good backdrop. This game also has a lot of replay value and multiplayer mode. However, the controls for the land vehicles are a little touchy and the frame rate can drop from time to time. Overall though, if you liked Banjo Kazooie, you will like this one too but only if you keep in mind that this isn’t the same stuff that you are used to.

Pros:

+ Vehicular creation tool is robust and easy to use

+ Missions can be tackled in a variety of creative ways

+ Visuals are distinct and inviting

+ Soundtrack provides a great backdrop

+ Lots of replay value and a cool multiplayer mode

Cons:

- Control for land vehicles is touchy

- Frame-rate drops are infrequent but still punishing

Extras:

# Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts Cheat Codes

# Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts Achievements

Rating: 9.5 Out of 10

Finally got my hands on Resistance 2 and it is a very fun game for all to play. This game has a great 8 player cooperative mode, a bunch of large and very detailed environments, smart and tough enemies with great AI and don’t forget the huge gigantic bosses that will make your jaw drop each time. There is also varied and powerful weapons, and a lag free online matchmaking system that can support up to 60 players. However, this game has the same problem as the last game, having a weak storyline. Overall though, this is a very fun game with a lot of intense action and tons of fun for hours on end.

Pros:

+ Fantastic eight-player cooperative mode

+ Large, vividly detailed environments

+ Smart, tough enemies and huge, huge bosses

+ Lag-free online matches with up to 60 players

+ Varied and powerful weapons

Cons:

- Weak story

Extras:

# Resistance 2 Cheat Codes

# Resistance 2 Trophies

Rating: 9 Out of 10

Mirror’s Edge is a great unique game that mixes action and FPS into a whole new world. This game has you play as a girl named Faith in a FPS view where you will run, jump, wallrun, balance walk over pipes, etc…all through out big city areas high on rooftops. This game has flawless runs which provide a total rush, a clean and striking visual design, and fantastic sound effects and music. However, some of the cramped jumping puzzles stops the momentum, there can be a frustrating amount of trial and error for some people, and the combat / gunplay could be a little bit improved. Overall though, this is a very fun game to play and it is worth the 60 dollars to try something new and fun.

Pros:

+ Flawless runs provide a total rush

+ Clean and striking visual design

+ Fantastic sound effects and music

Cons:

- Frustrating amount of trial and error

- Cramped jumping puzzles trip up the momentum

- Combat and gunplay are weak

Extras:

# Mirror’s Edge Cheat Codes

# Mirror’s Edge Achievements

The MGS LBP packs are out now. 5.99 for the character pack (Raiden, Old Snake, Screaming Mantis, and Meryl) and 5.99 for the Level Pack (new levels with more MGS gear!)

Merry Christmas

Rating: 5 Out of 10

Dash of Destruction is the new free Arcade game that was just released this past Wednesday (12/17/08) and it is good for what it is, but do not be shocked. This game is free and it is an easy 200 gamer points. You can easily get all of the achievements in about 20 to 30 minutes. However, the camera is bad, especially in the multiplayer portion. The controls are a little hard to use when you have to make a tight turn, and the graphics aren’t that good. Overall though, if you want a free arcade game that is good for 200 points, then get this.

Pros:

+ Free Arcade Game

+ Easy 200 Gamerpoints

Cons:

- Control issues

- Bad multiplayer camera

- Graphics aren’t that good

Extras:

# Dash of Destruction Cheat Codes

# Dash of Destruction Achievements

Rating: 8.5 Out of 10

Prince of Persia has been finally released for the PS3 and 360. For the record, this game has nothing to do with any of the other previous game and that every character is new and from a completely different area. This game has a great level design and a very beautiful art direction. The platforming is entertaining and the cinematic combat moves are very cool to pull off and watch. Also with Elika, you can get some very unique gameplay. However, the game is very, very easy, there are some minor annoyances, and it can get repetitive since you are doing the same thing over and over again in just different locations. Overall though, if you liked the other Prince of Persia games, you can like this one, but only if you go in with an open mind and realize that this is a different game and was meant to be that way.

Pros:

+ Intricate level design

+ Beautiful art direction

+ Platforming is entertaining and looks great

+ Cinematic combat moves are cool to pull off and impressive to watch

+ Elika’s presence leads to unique gameplay mechanics

Cons:

- Really, really easy

- The new prince isn’t a good leading man

- Some combat and platforming annoyances

Extras:

# Prince of Persia Cheat Codes

# Prince of Persia Trophies

Little Big Planet has from the get-go been geared toward providing gamers with ways to produce their own custom levels. To stimulate this interest, Media Molecule has taken a piecemeal approach to augmenting the core PlayStation 3-exclusive game’s customization options, releasing a series of costumes for the iconic Sackboy that range from turkey heads to Ryu’s gi from Street Fighter.

Beginning this week, though, the developer will be taking a more cohesive approach to rolling out downloadable content with the introduction of themed level packs. The first pack, appropriately enough, will run with a festive Christmas theme.

Included in the pack will be the wrapping paper create material, as well as a festive sleigh, holiday lights, baubles, bells, bows, candy canes, cards, stockings, and a variety of stickers. Sackboy will also see two new duds: a Christmas tree headpiece and a Wrapped Sackboy costume.

The Little Big Planet Festive Level Pack will be available on the PlayStation Network this Thursday for $2.99. Media Molecule notes that the level pack is a limited-time offering, and will be removed from the store after January 8.

Rating: 9 Out of 10

Left 4 Dead has finally been released for the PC and 360 and it is what you expected, I hope. This game has a great way of spawning enemies where it isn’t the same each run through or death. The guns are well tuned and balanced with tons of a gameplay modes, not only can you be the survivor, but also the infected. This game has that immersive aspect that will like you enjoy this game. The game however, is intended to be played with friends. Although you can play by yourself, it won’t be as much fun. Also, the game is very short with only 4 short campaigns. The reason I got this for the PC is because the support of Valve games are a lot better than the support for the 360 games. (Orange Box comes to mind.) Overall though, if you have a good enough PC to run this game I would definitely get it if you are looking for a new interesting shooter to play.

Pros:

+ Dynamic enemy placement make each play-through different

+ Tight controls and well-tuned guns

+ Stiff challenge makes survival difficult and thrilling

+ Versus mode expertly turns the tables

+ Killing survivors is as fun as killing zombies

Cons:

- Campaign is less fun when played alone

- Only four campaign maps

Extras:

# Left 4 Dead Cheat Codes

# Left 4 Dead Achievements

The full lineup of SpikeTV’s VGA nominees and winners is listed below. Category winners have been bolded.

Game of the Year
Grand Theft Auto IV
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Fallout 3
Gears of War 2
Little Big Planet

Studio of the Year
Media Molecule
Rockstar North
Harmonix
Bethesda

Best Team Sports Game
NHL 09
FIFA Soccer 09
NBA 2K9
Madden NFL 09

Big Name in the Game - Female
Jenny McCarthy - C&C: Red Alert 3
Judi Dench - Quantum of Solace
Eliza Dushku - Saints Row 2
Liv Tyler - The Incredible Hulk

Big Name in the Game - Male
Kiefer Sutherland - Call of Duty: World at War
Liam Neeson - Fallout 3
Ricky Gervais - Grand Theft Auto IV
Daniel Craig - Quantum of Solace

Best Performance by a Human Female
Debbie Mae West - Metal Gear Solid 4
Keeley Hawes - Tomb Raider: Underworld
Paula Tiso - No More Heroes
Nathalie Cox - Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Best Performance by a Human Male
Michael Hollick - Grand Theft Auto IV
Stephen Fry - Little Big Planet
David Hayter - Metal Gear Solid 4
Jason Zumwalt - Grand Theft Auto IV

Best Multiplayer Game
Left 4 Dead
Gears of War 2
Call of Duty: World at War
Resistance 2

Best Original Score
Metal Gear Solid IV
Fallout 3
Little Big Planet
Spore

Best PC Game
Left 4 Dead
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
Crysis Warhead
Spore

Best PS3 Game
Little Big Planet
Grand Theft Auto IV
Resistance 2
Metal Gear Solid 4

Best Wii Game
Boom Blox
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
No More Heroes
Wii Fit

Best Xbox 360 Game
Gears of War 2
Fallout 3
Grand Theft Auto IV
Fable II

Best Soundtrack
Rock Band 2
Grand Theft Auto IV
Guitar Hero World Tour
Little Big Planet

Best Action Adventure Game
Grand Theft Auto IV
Metal Gear Solid 4
Mirror’s Edge
Dead Space

Best Driving Game
Burnout Paradise
Mario Kart Wii
Midnight Club: Los Angeles
PURE

Best Music Game
Rock Band 2
SingStar
Wii Music
Guitar Hero World Tour

Best Game Based on a Movie or TV Show
Lego Indiana Jones
Naruto: The Broken Bond
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Quantum of Solace

Best Graphics
Metal Gear Solid 4
Fallout 3
Little Big Planet
Gears of War 2

Best Handheld Game
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Patapon
God of War: Chains of Olympus

Best Individual Sports Game
Shaun White Snowboarding
Skate It
Wii Fit
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09

Best Fighting Game
Soulcalibur IV
Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

Best RPG
Fallout 3
The World Ends With You
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
Fable II

Best Shooter
Gears of War 2
Left 4 Dead
Resistance 2
Far Cry 2

Best Independent Game Fueled By Dew
World of Goo
PixelJunk Eden
Braid
Audiosurf

Here is a bunch of world premiere trailers for the VGA’s in case you missed them. (Uncharted 2, Dante’s Inferno, Watchmen, Brutal Legend, Fight Night Round 4, Terminator: Salvation, Gears of War 2 Combustible Map Pack, Mafia 2, God of War 3, and GTA 4: The Lost and the Damned.

Uncharted 2:

Dante’s Inferno:

Watchmen: The End is Nigh

Brutal Legend:

Fight Night Round 4:

Terminator: Salvation:

Mafia II:

Gears of War 2: Combustible Map Pack:

God of War III:

GTA IV: The Lost and the Damned: