Spore shipping this September

Electronic Arts and Maxis announced the release date for Will Wright's latest simulation title today. SPORE will be available at retailers worldwide for PC, Mac, Nintendo DS and the mobile platform the weekend of September 7 ^th . Wright commented on the current stage of the game's development process saying, “ We’re in our final stages of testing and polish with Spore , and the team at Maxis can’t wait to see the cosmos of content created by the community later this year.”

Nintendo releases Professor Layton

Nintendo announced the release of a new detective mystery/puzzle game for Nintendo DS today. Professor Layton and the Curious Village brings a new world of riddles, secrets and brainteasers to Nintendo's popular handheld system, complete with a full plot line, eccentric characters and a double murder-mystery. The game's story takes place in the village of St. Mystere, where, after the passing of a wealthy baron, his will reveals that a treasure is hidden somewhere in the village. Unable to locate the treasure, the baron's family calls upon renowned archaeologist and puzzle expert Professor Layton for help. Professor Layton's search for the treasure is quickly interrupted by the suspicious death of another member of the deceased baron's family, and now, with two mysteries to confront, Professor Layton must work his way through the village's many challenges to get to the truth.

Professor Layton has players go up against a variety of brainteasers, including mazes, riddles, logic, sliding puzzles and more, as they progress through a 19 ^th century anime-styled mystery. Nintendo will also be releasing, for a limited time, new puzzles available for download via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Professor Layton and the Curious Village is available now for Nintendo DS for $29.99 USD and CAD and is rated E for Everyone.

XBLA update

This week's Xbox Live Arcade update brings a new turn-based strategy game and the return of an arcade classic. From Sierra Online and SouthEnd Interactive comes  Commanders: Attack of the Genos , a fast-paced turn-based strategy game which features a 1930s art deco style. The game requires players to devise a masterful tactical battle strategy to both cripple the enemy and defend their territory from genos, a genetically modified super race. Players fight alongside a powerful Commander, which serves as a hero unit, through 15 missions, all the while using an arsenal of weapons that includes missle launcher, bombers and infantry. Commanders: Attack of the Genos will be available worldwide (except Japan and Korea) tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. GMT for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and up.

From Disney Interactive Studios comes Discs of Tron , a recreation of the cabinet game, with high definition graphics and enhanced sound. Gamers play as Tron in an attempt to defeat the evil Sark in an electronic battleground, using the iconic disc weapon. The game includes a 12 level single player campaign, as well as an Xbox Live online mutliplayer mode. Discs of Tron will be releasing with downloadable content consisting of a theme and gamer pic pack, which contains images of Tron, a red soldier and the disc platforms from the game. Discs of Tron will also be available worldwide (except Japan and Korea) tomorrow morning, for 400 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone.

Buzz! franchise expands

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced today that it will be expanding the Playstation social gaming catalogue with the addition of three new games to the Buzz! franchise. SCEA will be releasing two new Playstation 2 Buzz! titles, called Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz and Buzz! Jr. RoboJam , and the franchise's first title for PSP.

Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz allows up to eight players to take part in an interactive quiz show experience featuring 5,000 questions based on Hollywood trivia. The game incorporates new and improved round types including Rollover, Fact or Fiction and Hollywood Stars, as well as hundreds of celebrity images and movie clips. Buzz! Jr. RoboJam, lets players create custom robots and then compete in 24 new mini-games. Slated for simultaneous release on March 11, 2008, both games require buzzers to play and will be available as a bundled version that includes the buzzers and as a standalone version offered at a lower price.

The franchise will be making its way to PSP this summer, packing over 5,000 questions on categories including music, celebrities, television, sports, science, nature movies and more. The PSP version will offer players six new multiplayer and single player modes designed specifically for PSP.

EA to bring Mass Effect to PC

As BioWare is now an Electronic Arts company, EA announced today that it will be publishing the PC version of Mass Effect . R e-designed for the PC, Mass Effect invites players to take the role of Commander Shepard as they set out on an adventure to save the galaxy from imminent destruction. The story will likely not be altered, but the game will be optimized for PC with new features including:

· Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC.

· High resolution visuals – Mass Effect for the PC features highly detailed textures, characters and environments.

· Fully customizable controls – PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like.

· Run & Gun Control – Players can assign biotic powers or skills to ‘hot keys’ allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action.

· New decryption mini-game.

· New inventory screen GUI and functionality – The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.

The PC version of Mass Effect is currently scheduled to release this May.

Today's game releases

Sony's wipEout PULSE for PSP - $29.99 USD and CAD