This fall, Sega is releasing a second entry in Sonic’s racing series, with Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. The game may seem like a typical racing sequel, however this time vehicles can transform into hovercrafts or jet-planes — Diddy Kong Racing, anyone?

Take a look at the new Comic Con trailer above. The game will release November 20 for Xbox 360, PS3, and Nintendo 3DS.

CVG

Those who may have skipped on the option to download the Developer’s Preview of Windows 8 last year don’t have to wait for the full retail release of Microsoft’s new OS to take a glance. Today, Microsoft has made the Consumer Preview available to download. I’m absolutely in love with the redesigned look and feel of Windows, and the new tile metro style they’re utilizing across all Windows products.

As part of the Consumer Preview, Microsoft has announced that all applications in the Windows Store will be free during the preview. Of course, once the retail version of Windows 8 launches, you’ll have to cough up some coinage. Still, quite a fantastic opportunity to really test out what Microsoft has been working on for the past few years.

You can download the preview here.

Microsoft

We’ve got a way to go before Sega releases the next episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4, set to release later this year. Until then, Sega has some new screenshots to hold us over, posted on the Xbox Live Marketplace website. My favorite of the bunch is the above pic, showing our speedy blue friend and his dual-tailed companion racing down a snowy alp. While I’m excited for the diversity of the new levels, visually this game just seems to be a few steps ahead of the first episode.

For more images, including planes, rollercoasters, and underwater action, check out the links below:

Xbox Live Marketplace via
Destructoid

It’s been twenty years and some change since March 4, 1991 when The Simpsons Arcade Game was introduced. Today, PS3 owners have the opportunity to download The Simpsons Arcade Game on their respective console to commemorate the series’ upcoming 500th episode, set to air February 19th 2012 — Xbox 360 owners got the game a bit earlier, on February 3.

Added with new modes and features such as online mode, unlimited play or quarter mode to name a few, those who purchase will still feel at ease picking up and playing this classic arcade port no matter if it’s new to you or a nostalgic throwback to the boardwalk arcade days.

The Simpsons Arcade Game retails for the following:

Xbox 360 – 800 Microsoft Points

PS3 – $9.99  (note: Playstation Plus members currently can download this title for free.)

The original Xbox is celebrating a milestone today. It’s been 10 years since the console hit the market, marking Microsoft’s first attempt at breaking into the gaming console development market.

Obviously given the success of Windows both as an OS and as Microsoft’s first gaming platform, the successes of both the Xbox and Xbox 360 weren’t exactly unforeseen. Still, Microsoft introduced a different type of console to the market, a console they didn’t know they needed.

Congratulations on your 10th birthday, original Xbox. There are rumors that your parents might have another baby. If that’s true, may your new “Xbox 720″ brother gain all your wisdom.

One of my earliest childhood memories was playing BurgerTime on my NES with my dad. Oh,.. sorry. That was the end of the story. You expected more? Hmm… well this is awkward.

MonkeyPaw is bringing a brand new BurgerTime to consoles with this week’s release of BurgerTime World Tour. The game continues the tradition of controlling chef Peter Pepper, who has to walk along scaffolding filled with the essential burger building components. While avoiding enemies like sausage links who are set on ending your life, chef Pepper must quickly build his burgers by walking over each burger ingredient, which subsequently fall below resulting in a perfectly crafted burger. It sounds confusing, and unsanitary, but it’s actually a shit load of fun.

Earlier this week, I booted up the ol’ Xbox 360, as I wanted to play Black Ops one last time before placing it in a dusty box as a result of an inevitable Modern Warfare 3 addiction. First thing I noticed after boot up was a different looking dashboard, where only two rows of content were displayed — I quickly realized it was because I was no longer signed in with my gamertag. No big deal. As expected, I booted up Black Ops and figured I’d just sign-in within the game. That is until I was told my gamertag was invalid. Womp.

A software drought of quality titles routinely happens during the summertime, a fact gamers have accepted for years. Fall however is a different story. There are more than a dozen games that I’m dying to play, all releasing between next week and December. In the meantime, I figured I’d throw something from the 2011 backlog on my GameFly queue, an overlooked title that I just never got around to playing. In steps Dirt 3.

Released back in May by Codemasters, Dirt 3 follows its predecessors by — all which featured rally racer Colin McRae’s name in the title — bringing forth some of the most realistic racing experiences to date. To progress through the game’s Dirt Tour, simply race through different events, earn points based on medal rankings to open new events, all in an attempt to complete a full racing season. The game gets harder as you progress, where the first few levels might be strictly about racing, the latter will slowly implement tricks like donuts and drifts that you’ll need to perfect in order to proceed.

It’s all over, folks! This year’s New York Comic Con is officially over, and it was glorious. If you didn’t make it out to NYC’s Javits Center, no worries. I took some photos of the convention, all for your viewing pleasure. I took more shots of the different exhibits rather than the attendees, figuring that you’ve probably seen your share of cosplayers elsewhere.

Enjoy!

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My favorite game in the Bit.Trip family of titles is getting a sequel. From Gaijin Games comes BitTrip Presents: Runner 2, Future Legend of Rhythm Alien — perhaps a working title?

Leaving the 8bit art style behind, Runner 2 will feature a brand new look, taking on a more cartoony aesthetic. The devs wanted to change up the look for the sequel, crediting such inspirations as the 1930s black and white Betty Boop cartoons — from the game’s concept art, the graphics seem like they’re ripped from the world of The Grinch, which is totally fine with me. While I’m always partial to 8bit, i’m ready to see what Gaijin cooks up with the new game, which is slated to release next spring on Xbox Live and PSN.

Check out another sample image of the new artstyle below. What do you guys think? If you want to see more information, check out the game’s dev website.