On July 27th, we will release a robust Madden NFL 11 demo, featuring full 5 minute quarters, Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets (as voted by the fans), full GameFlow integration, the ability to create offensive and defensive game plans, and more.

Below are a few additional details on the demo:

• Release date: July 27th on both Xbox LIVE and PSN
• Teams: Colts vs. Jets
• Stadium: Jets Stadium, East Rutherford NJ – 1:00pm, clear
• Full 5 minute quarters
• All 4 skill levels selectable – Rookie, Pro, All-Pro, All-Madden
• The option to build both an offensive and defensive gameplans

o Unlock “Master Strategist” achievement/trophy in the retail game

• GameFlow or Conventional play call selectable
• CoachSpeak audio and text overlays
• Coaching Tips
• Audio presentation:

o Play-by-play (Gus Johnson), commentary (Cris Collinsworth)
o Stadium music
o Team specific chants – J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets!

• Share with friends and earn an exclusive Madden Ultimate Team card that is redeemed with full version

Looks like the rumored keytar is in there, but can be played like a traditional keyboard if that’s what you prefer. I think that, in my case, I’d go the keytar route for, say, a glam band, then switch to keyboard for someone like Queen. But that’s just me.

Are you folks even interested in another Rock Band? Will a new peripheral be enough to make you shell out another $200 or so for a new hardware bundle?

Oh, by the way: be sure to hit this link to read the full USA Today story and check out a small list of tracks to be included in the game.

Notice the new instrument icon at the end? Looks like Rock Band 3 will include a keyboard/piano instrument. Hopefully this isn’t what Harmonix means when they say Rock Band 3 will shake things up. How does adding the ability to play A Flock of Seagulls change rhythm gaming? I’m not saying I don’t want to rock out to “I Ran (So Far Away)”—I’d love to, actually—but I hope Harmonix has more up its sleeve for the third RB installment.

UPDATE: Ars Technica’s oft-reliable industry source claims the new instrument will not be a keyboard. Instead, it will be a keytar. The source also claims that all Rock Band 3 instruments will be exclusively designed by Mad Catz and will likely be more realistic.

I think a keyboard would be easier to learn than a keytar, but maybe I just don’t want to look like a washed out former member of a glam metal band. What do you folks prefer—keytar or keyboard?

So, what is this Sonic Colors thing? It’s a new game for Nintendo Wii and the DS. The Wii version will combine 2D and 3D gameplay while the DS incarnation will make use of both screens. That’s pretty much all we know.

There’s also this early trailer that doesn’t include anything remotely useful. Check it out and begin theorizing how badly this will suck. I mean, it is Sonic after all.

Mario, Luigi, Toad(s), The Princess and Bowser are back, but this time there is no taking turns.  Instead the designers have taken many of the successful elements of Super Mario Brothers 3 and Super Mario World and combined them with co-operative and counter-operative (I’ll explain later) elements for the most fun and infuriating side scrolling game I have played in years.  The game allows up to four players to go through the level simultaneously and does it with a high level of success.  Players can grab each other, work together for mega jumps, utilize Yoshi and the new propeller hat to help them go through levels with a new and simultaneously familiar design.  Where the counter-operative element comes into play is the fact that you cant just “run through” one another…you will bump into, jump off of, and be the victim of friendly turtle shell fire time and time again.  It’s one of those experiences where 80% of the time, it is annoying in that funny endearing kind of way, but there is that 20% of the time when peoples’ playing styles will interfere with one another.  You will get speed players (like myself) trying to fly through a level as fast as possible bumping heads with players who are more explorative (Like Jenn).  As long as you can both agree to a speed to going through a level, it is a ball and really takes me back to my childhood in a number of ways.

Graphically the game is top notch for a Wii game.  It is crisp, fast and stays true to the animation style of the previous Mario games.  Sound is great as a lot of familiar tracks play when you are playing and the sound effects (like someone making a car hoking noise when they have run out of lives can be really funny…or really annoying).  As far as difficulty, the “bubble” mechanism is really handy if one player is having difficulty getting through a certain part of the stage, while not making it a cheesy cheat because if everyone bubbles, they all have to start the level over.  This happened a number of times and really encouraged people only to bubble when they absolutely had to.  Adults and children playing together can be fun, however I found myself getting impatient from time to time and had to remind myself that “Hey, they are just kids, relax Neil”.  The game also has a decent amount of replay value for a side-scroller as you can go back and find all of the hidden secrets, coins and power-ups.  That aspect of the game isn’t really my cup of tea, but Jenn absolutely loved it.

As far as issues specifically for the Christian: Unless you are EXTREMELY sensitive to fantasy themes, the game is very family friendly and I did not witness anything even close to offensive material.

Overall: 8.5/10

Pros:

• Extremely Family Friendly
• Very fun multiplayer
• Good replay value (for the genre)
• Nostalgia factor for the older players

Cons:

• Can be frustrating with players of vastly different skill levels/playing style

The game is available for purchase Here.

Here is a video review of the game from gamespot.com.

We are truly living in the future, folks. The rumors about Netflix coming to the Nintendo are quite true. Now your Wii can play movies without ninja-hacking the poor thing.

Nintendo announced that it will be adding Netflix’s streaming video service to its Wii console this spring. Wii owners jonesing for some Netflix action will need a Netflix subscription (but of course); and, like the PS3, a streaming disc.

I guess this is good news for Wii-only gamers; but for the general gaming audience, this isn’t necessary. Wii owners who also own a PS3 or 360 not only already have access to Netflix on their TVs, but they can also watch many movies in 720p resolution. The Wii isn’t an HD console, so Wii-only folks will need to stick to their computers for non-eye-straining viewing experiences.

It’s not much, but it’s something to tide you crazy MM fans over until the game’s release. When is that, you ask? March 2010, my friends.

Hot on the heels of the retro-esque Mega Man 9, Capcom prepares to unleash another old-school, 8-bit game featuring the Blue Bomber himself, Mega Man 10. Nintendo Power unveils the new (old) WiiWare game in their January issue. Scans from the issue showed up online yesterday just about everywhere, thanks to Nintendo Power itself.

I’m not really looking forward to this one. Mega Man 9 was difficult in that might-as-well-shoot-my-own-foot-this-is-insane-what-is-wrong-with-Japan kind of way. I don’t know about you fine folks, but that kind of gameplay irritates me. I didn’t like it when I was a kid, and I hate it now.

But perhaps some of you can’t wait to take on…Sheep Man. No, I didn’t make that up. There’s totally a Sheep Man in Mega Man 10. Maybe you’ll need to beat Scottish Farmer Man first to gain his Sheep Sheering Gun. You know what? I’d play that game in a heartbeat. But I don’t own a Wii, so, yeah (no word on PSN or XBL releases yet).

If you enjoy Wii-motes and courtrooms, Nintendo’s got you covered. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, the first game in the popular DS lawyer-RPG (if in fact one can label the genre) series, is coming to the Nintendo Wii via the WiiWare service.

It’s a straight port, so don’t expect upgraded graphics, sound… Just don’t expect anything extra at all, and you’ll be happy. Well, you will be if you’re a Ace Attorney fan. Otherwise, you might want to steer clear of this particular port.

I honestly don’t get the appeal of the series. But, to be fair, I equate being a lawyer with having a monstrous giant repeatedly smash my feet with a humongous hammer. This series is obviously not for me. If it is for you; you own a Wii; and you don’t own a DS, well, rejoice!

It appears EA hasn’t learned anything from it’s past mistakes.  Why they think that giving people an advantage in a game for pre-ordering it is just beyond me.  How about some cool NVGs like Modern Warfare 2 or a gift certificate for all the money we have spent on ridiculous EA DLC that we don’t need.  It’s just stupid, EA. Get a clue.

The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Limited Edition delivers six special customizations early to give players a day one advantage in multiplayer matches. Four vehicle warfare unlocks will immediately enhance the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 best-in-class online vehicle warfare experience, delivering extra firepower, radar, and armor for the vehicles. Additionally, the tracer dart attaches to any enemy vehicle and allows RPG-toting teammates to track, lock on, and destroy their adversary. Seasoned veterans of Battlefield 1943™ will be able to immediately re-acquaint themselves with two classic and highly powerful weapons, the M1A1 submachine gun and the M1911 pistol.