Marvel to stop making 'crappy' games

Video games based on comic books historically don't have the best track record. Most are rushed before they can get a proper release, leaving us with an ocean of terrible games based on old Batman and Spider-Man movies. There are a few great exceptions, though, like X-Men Origins: Wolverine, one of this blogger's favorite beat-em-ups of the last year.

Thankfully, Marvel Comics recognizes that this game was the exception to the rule. Therefore, they're making it the rule. Marvel Executive Vice President of Global Digital Media Group Ira Rubenstein told Joystiq that they "aren't doing crappy movie-based games anymore." Rubenstein then cited the upcoming Iron Man 2 and Thor games as being exciting examples of good games for their future.

Let's just hope it doesn't turn out like that first Iron Man game. Or worse, Superman 64.

PS3 Slim announced

Holding out for a PS3 until it took off some of that weight? Well it looks like it's time for the obligatory Wesley Willis quote from the PS3: "I'm sorry that I got fat, I will slim down."

To be precise, it will slim down in September, when the PS3 Slim replaces its chunkier predecessor on the market. Better still, it's slicing the price by $100, now with a price tag of $299. It still doesn't play PS2 games, which is a bummer.

Unfortunately, uploading photos isn't working at the moment, but here's a gallery of photos of the PS3 Slim, courtesy of Joystiq (which includes the console compared to other consoles). In the meantime, here's a video of the unboxing.

The price cut is great news for people who have been holding out for their PS3. However, does Sony really think that people who have a broken PS2 really want to go out and spend $100 on a PS2 just to play their old games? This blogger thinks it's only a matter of time before Sony realizes that people don't want both systems, and ultimately, with backwards compatibility, they could make more sales with this thing.

Oh, and did we mention it's slim?

'Rock Band Metal Track Pack' announced

OK, we get it, you're excited about Guitar Hero: Van Halen. Who isn't? But hey, there's always another, more Rock Band-y option (that doesn't include The Beatles).

According to a press release, the Rock Band Metal Track Pack will be released as a stand-alone disc for all consoles on Oct. 13. Here's the track list:

1. All That Remains - Two Weeks
2. At the Gates - Blinded By Fear
3. Black Tide - ShockWave
4. Blue Öyster Cult - Transmaniacon MC
5. Bullet For My Valentine - Waking the Demon
6. Children of Bodom - Are You Dead Yet
7. Evile - Thrasher
8. Godsmack - I Stand Alone
9. The Haunted - D.O.A.
10. Hawkwind - Master Of The Universe
11. I Mother Earth - Levitate
12. In This Moment - Forever
13. Judas Priest - Screaming for Vengeance
14. Lacuna Coil - Closer
15. Lamb of God - Laid to Rest
16. Motörhead - Killed by Death
17. Nazareth - Hair of the Dog
18. Queens of the Stone Age - 3’s & 7’s
19. Rage Against The Machine - Bulls On Parade
20. Yngwie Malmsteen - Red Devil

Whoa! Nazareth, Motörhead and Rage Against The Machine on one disc? They really did their best to cover all their bases. Any glaring omissions?

Keep your eye on these XBLA games

Hey folks. Been wondering what to check out on XBLA? Luckily for you, I've got a quick guide of the new and the old essentials. But before you spend your hard-earned money, be sure to play the demos. Here's a short list:

NEW:

- TMNT Turtles In Time Re-Shelled - A remake of TMNT Turtles In Time, the classic arcade game. If you liked the original, you'll like this one.



- 'Splosion Man - You play a man made out of explosions. It's made by the same people who made The Maw.



- Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 - The old Dreamcast game gets re-released. Play as Spider-Man, Mega Man, Captain America or Ryu. It's a great fighting game.



OLD:

- Peggle - The mind-blowingly addictive puzzle game.



- Castle Crashers - The incredible 2D beat-em-up.



- Braid - The gorgeous puzzle platformer.



- Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 - Another gorgeous puzzle game in the vein of Asteroids (if Asteroids was colorful and harder).



Well those are my picks. Any that I've forgotten?

New 'Beatles Rock Band' videos

There are a few games coming out this year that I'm excited about. But honestly, perhaps the most exciting game of the year is The Beatles Rock Band. Sure, it's just another Rock Band game in a way, but it adds the option of singing harmonies, it has a lot of great animations and, well come on, it's The Beatles.

A few new videos of songs from the game. Each one demonstrates the "dreamscapes" from the game. Check them out right here: