Fast, furious and fun levels… Optional collectables that aren’t a chore to hunt… A “replay-level” button gamers will be hitting more than the “next-level” button… A burning desire to top your friend’s high scores… Do all of these features make you want a new old-school Tony Hawk game? Well unfortunately you can’t have one as that series has been grinding down the quality half-pipe for the past few years. However do not distress because developers Hello Games are here to console you with open arms and a very worthy alternative. Joe himself is a motorcycle stuntman in this 2D mixture of racing, stunt performing, collecting and general replay-that-level-to-beat-that-top-score. Levels take the form of individual tracks which all have multiple goals within them. These goals may be the standard “beat this level in a set time limit,” collect these six letters, find the hidden tape star but this standard format doesn’t take away from the fun of the game thanks to the easily mastered controls. Joe is moved along the 2D tracks backward and forward via the left and right trigger of the XBOX 360 controller respectively. His pace can be sped up with a boost button, which is recharged by performing ...

XBLA & PSN game Awesomenauts has flown under our radar. We’ll admit it. Yesterday however we watched a sped-up video which featured the creation of a character in Photoshop and we thought the process was amazing and had to shared here for all to see. With our curiosity engaged we then decided to check out a trailer for the game... which can only be described in one word… (which we won’t be cheesy and say): The year is 3587, conflict spans the stars. Huge robot armies are locked in an enduring stalemate. At the center is a team of elite mercenaries fighting for the spoils of war: The Awesomenauts. Combining the gameplay of classic 2D-platformering titles with that of modern, fast-paced MOBA-games, Awesomenauts allows up to six players to battle against one-another across multiple alien worlds. Featuring a playable roster of unique heroes, Awesomenauts brings ferocious teamplay and angry, lightsaber-wielding aliens together. Gameplay Features: - For the first time in galactic history, Awesomenauts will bring the popular MOBA genre to the 2D plane with rich, detailed environments! - Adrenaline-pumping action with up to 3 players staining your couch, or 6 players online! - A roster of unique playable mercenaries, each featuring their own set of skills ...

The critically acclaimed word strategy game Quarrel hit the shelves of XBLA yesterday and is available for 400 Microsoft Points. Quarrel was originally released for iOS devices last summer and proved to be a hit, hence this XBLA release. Players fight for dominance over island territories using eight-letter anagrams to build the highest scoring word possible. Quarrel for XBLA includes the fun challenge of online multiplayer, supporting up to four players to prove who has the most lexical prowess.  Players can also compete against nine unique AI in the classic Single Player mode, or take on the Challenge mode to take on extra mini-objectives within each battle. Quarrel also integrates well with specific XBOX Live features as players can use their own Avatars in game, as well as see their friends when competing online, and it also includes leaderboards, achievements, in-game messaging and voice chat. Not a bad package for 400 points.

Microsoft has revealed the release order for the games of its House Party promotion. Beginning 15th February, a new downloadable hit title will launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade every Wednesday, through to 7th March. As you can see below prices vary between the standard of 800 – 1200 points however, like Summer of Arcade, gamers who purchase all 4 titles will receive 800 points. WARP (Electronic Arts) 15th February | 800 Microsoft Points | PEGI 18 Play as Zero, a lovable-yet-lethal orange alien with a big score to settle in this puzzle-based stealth action game! Captured by the villainous Commander and imprisoned in his underwater facility, Zero must plan his ultimate escape using his arsenal of alien abilities — warp, frag, echo, swap and launch. ALAN WAKE’S AMERICAN NIGHTMARE (Microsoft Studios) 22nd February | 1200 Microsoft Points | PEGI 18 Can you survive until sunrise? In this brand-new stand-alone experience, Alan Wake fights the herald of darkness, the evil Mr. Scratch. A thrilling new storyline, hordes of creepy enemies, serious firepower and beautiful Arizona locations combined with a fun and challenging new game mode, make this a must for Alan Wake veterans and the perfect jumping-on point for new players. NEXUIZ (THQ) 29th February | 800 Microsoft Points ...

The Mediterranean Traveller Map Pack for Assassin’s Creed Revelations multiplayer is now available on XBOX Live & Playstation Network. The pack contains 3 new maps (Jerusalem, Constantinople and Dyers) as well as three classic maps from Brotherhood (Firenze (Florence), San Donato and Siena), all of which have new trophies and achievements to earn. The Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack is available for download at a price of 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE and €9.99 on PlayStation Network and Windows PC. To preview the Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack, players can download a free trial from Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PlayStation Store. The trial will expire three days after playing the new DLC for the first time.

Originally scheduled for release in November 2011, the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection will finally be hitting the shelves of Irish shops on Friday 3rd February 2012. This HD collection will contain Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (originally from the PS2) and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (originally a PSP game) as well as copies of the original two msx games. Metal Gear Solid 2 received mixed reviews when first released, primarily due to surprise main character Raiden who wasn't the Solid Snake Solid Snake fans were expecting. This however was remedied with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, regarded as the best in the series for its storyline, gameplay and great boss battles. 3 solid games and the 2 originals... there's only one quote to finish this post: "Oh, I see! Then I guess everything's wrapped up in a neat little package! (pause) Really, I mean that. Sorry if it SOUNDED sarcastic." Homer Simpson - The Simpsons - Bart of Darkness (1994)

After a month at the top FIFA 12 has finally been knocked off the top spot thanks to a mighty axe swing from Skyrim. A lot of our fellow videogame websites and publications have been handing out game of the year awards left, right and centre to Skyrim so it looks like all of this influence has affected Irish gamers' wallets. Skyrim had been dancing around the top 5 over the past month so it wasn't too much of a climb to the top. Speaking of climb, Saint's Row: The Third dropped out of the top 10 two weeks ago but has jumped right back up to 5th position, the biggest climb this week. Below is the top 10 chart in full: 1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Softworks) 2. FIFA 12 (EA Sports) 3. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft) 4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision) 5. Saint's Row: The Third 6. Battlefield 3 (EA Games) 7. Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo) 8. Zuma Fitness (505 Games) 9. Assassin's Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft) 10. Zuma Fitness 2 (505 Games) All sales figures are chart compiled by and are copyright of “GfK Chart-Track.”

Wizardbox are teaming up again with BAFTA nominated adventure game writer Steve Ince to bring us Captain Morgane and the Golden Turtle.  The game will be released PS3, Wii and DS on the 24th of February.  Building on the character of Morgane Castillo from "So Blonde"  Captain Morgane and the Golden Turtle will feature detailed interactive enviroments and will take full advantage of the Move Camera and Controller on the PS3.  It will have over 50 Highly detailed enviroments spanning 5 islands.  Check out the trailer below. For more information on Captain Morgane visit www.captainmorgane.com and to receive all of the latest updates for its launch, join Morgane’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Captain-Morgane-And-The-Golden-Turtle/191022037610365.

SEGA have released the first gameplay trailer for Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic games. This trailer shows of the nintendo 3DS version of the game. The game will feature over 50 events for you to take part in and will be released on both the Wii and 3DS systems. Take a look at the trailer below. Over 19 million people worldwide have bought video games from the Mario and Sonic series, and now the much loved duo are heading to London to participate in the officially licensed Olympic-themed video game, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. A host of exciting new headline events, including football and equestrian will debut on the Wii version appearing alongside classic Olympic disciplines, such as athletics, aquatics and table tennis. These new sports are sure to ignite even more fierce competition between friends and family in both single and multiplayer modes! The all new roster of Dream events that are set in popular Mario and Sonic worlds make for a truly unique sporting experience that can only be found in Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Arriving on Nintendo’s new handheld system for the first time ...

Still in two minds about the Gears of War 3 Fenix Rising DLC? Epic Games have sent us over a video of the new maps and multiplayer characters in action. The below video features gameplay for standard multiplayer games as well as Horde and Beast modes. Tip: If you fancy a game of Horde on one of the new Fenix Rising maps then go for Escalation, it's essentially a long corrider with staircases on either side that lead to a raised section in the middle. Setting up a base on either end ensures that your team will not be blindsided and enemies will only have certain paths to reach you at. For more on the contents of this dlc pack check out our main article from earlier this week here.