Today marks the highly-anticipated return of Samurai Shodown, the predecessor of the weapons-based, versus fighting game genre, as the franchise finally returns to consoles!

Marking the first release in the franchise since 2008 and over 25 years since the release of the original, Samurai Shodown returns with its signature, unforgiving approach to weapons-based combat. This new Samurai Shodown “reboot” features a returning cast of 13 fan-favourite characters and 3 brand new characters at launch, further unlockable characters in the Season Pass, a range of competitive in-game modes and a true evolution to the fighting genre and the series in Dojo Mode.

Along with the traditional Versus Battle Mode, Samurai Shodown offers a range of modes for players to sink their blades into, including:

• Practice Mode: Players can learn the ropes in a tutorial and hone their skills in training mode.
• Online Mode: Friends and foes alike can battle online in a variety of competitive modes.
• Story Mode: Players can witness each character’s unique journey through 18th century Edo-period Japan as a new disaster threat looms over the land.
• Battle Mode: Host to a variety of challenges including Versus, Time Trial, Survival and Gauntlet modes, players looking to test their skills will be pushed to the limit here.
• Dojo Mode: After enough matches have been played, players can compete against their own ghost, other players’ ghosts, and then share their ghost data to online leaderboards.

A Season Pass offering is also available for Samurai Shodown, which will see further characters added to the roster over the coming months. Fans who purchase Samurai Shodown before June 30th will receive the Season Pass free of charge. SNK has also announced the full line-up of DLC characters that will be included in the season pass and released in the following order: Rimururu, Basara, Kazuki Kazama, and Wan-Fu.

In addition to the launch, SNK are pleased to outline their ongoing commitment to the franchise as an emerging competitor in the esports scene with Samurai Shodown’s upcoming inclusion at the Evolution Championship Series, the largest and longest-running fighting game tournaments in the world. EVO brings together the best of the best from around the world in a dazzling exhibition of skill and fun, as players and fans gather to honour the competitive spirit in an open format and determine a champion.

“We have been overwhelmed by the positivity of our fans over the past several months and would like to thank each and every one of them for making the return of the franchise come to fruition,” said SNK Lead Producer, Yasuyuki Oda. “Further to today’s launch on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, we’re now looking forward to being part of the Evolution Championship series this August and we could not be happier to be part of one the biggest competitive fighting game events in the world. Please expect to hear more from us in the coming months regarding our future plans for esports and Samurai Shodown!”

Samurai Shodown is now available in the West on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One (£49.99 MSRP). For more information about the game, please visit Twitter.

*Users must claim the Season Pass via PlayStation Network / Microsoft Store before June 30^th, 2019. Regional restrictions may apply.

Your search for the truth begins now, because Judgment is now available in the West on PlayStation 4! Take on Tokyo’s seedy underworld, track down clues, identify suspects, and crack heads in the latest thrilling action game from SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio!

“My search for the truth only ends when I say it does.”

Play now and experience an all-star voice acting cast in English or Japanese voices, and English, French, Italian, German, or Spanish subtitles for the first time in over 10 years.

Judgement is out now on PlayStation 4

For more information go – http://yakuza.sega.com/judgment/home

A timeless classic is being given a new lease of life with the launch of a full-sized version of THEC64.  Developed by Retro Games Ltd. and distributed by Koch Media, THEC64 is a fully licensed reimagining of the 80’s bestselling home computer.

Following its launch in 1982, the C64 home computer went on to dominate the home computer scene throughout the 1980s. Millions of units were sold worldwide and hold a special place in the hearts of its former owners.  37 years later and it’s back again!

The full sized THEC64 has a full working keyboard, comes with an updated micro switch classic joystick which plugs into one of the four USB ports, and connects to any modern TV via HDMI.  It features three switchable modes – boot straight into original C64 BASIC, VIC20 BASIC  or switch to the Games Carousel and play one of the 64 built in games in 50Hz or 60Hz, with optional CRT Filters/Screen modes.

As well as the classic C64 and VIC20 BASIC modes, the pre-installed games include such classics as California Games, Paradroid and Boulder Dash; with new additions like Attack of the Mutant Camels, Hover Bovver, Iridis Alpha, and Gridrunner; topped off with the recently released shoot ‘em up Galencia and text adventure Planet of Death to let you relive the glory days of true keyboard gaming! You can even load and save your own C64 and VIC20 games via USB flash drive as well as access multi disc titles.

“We are delighted to be working with Koch Media once more to bring back even more of the most loved retro games ever on two of the most iconic home computers of all time, and which now has a full working keyboard”, said Paul Andrews, Retro Games’ Managing Director.  “THEC64 full size is a reimagining of the classic C64 computer and the second in a planned series of products on the way.”

THEC64 will hit the shops on December 5 2019 with a suggested retail price of £109.99/€119.99.

As the battle intensifies in the 2019 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, players can now create their own rivalries with the launch of F1 2019. Releasing two months earlier than previous iterations, players who purchased the F1 2019 Legends Edition, can now enjoy three days early access on PlayStation 4, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and Windows PC (DVD and via Steam)

With the longest development cycle of any Codemasters F1 game, F1 2019 features of series of firsts including the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship where players can compete alongside F1 rookies, Lando Norris, George Russell and Alexander Albon. The game launches with the F2 Feeder Series; a scenario-based introduction which alters the outcome of the game based on the player’s success, actions and responses. The F1 2019 season will be added via a free digital download later in the year.

Another first is driver transfers which appear in Career Mode and mostly occur at the end of each season. Established stars including current F1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton and arch-nemesis, Sebastian Vettel can form an unlikely partnership or continue their rivalry in the racing colours of completely new teams. All new contracts are based on performance, so talent will have the opportunity to sign for a title contender with a series of strong results or be relegated to a team whose goals are much less ambitious.

F1 2019 features 18 classic cars celebrating every decade from the 1970s through to 2010. Players can re-live great moments from yesteryear in the best performing cars of their generation including the 1972 Lotus 72D, 1988 McLaren MP4/4, 1996 Williams FW18 through to the 2010 Red Bull RB6. In addition, the F1 2019 Legends Edition features Alain Prost’s McLaren MP4/5B and Ayrton Senna’s Ferrari F1-90 from 1990 alongside the McLaren MP4-25 and the Ferrari F10, part of the F1 2019 Anniversary Edition which launches on Friday 28 June. Players can also customise a 2019 regulation car, created in collaboration with Ross Brawn and Pat Symonds, with a series of liveries and compete online in Multiplayer mode.

With the F1 New Balance Esports Series continuing to grow at pace, players can keep updated with the latest news, event details, watch livestreams and highlights all through the new in-game Esports area. Later this year, players who wish to compete competitively and try to win a place on one of the ten F1 teams can register and take part in future heats directly through the game.

“We are absolutely delighted with the inclusion of F2, Senna and Prost, and Career Mode Driver Transfers, as major, new additions to the F1 Franchise, as well as integrating league racing and F1 Esports for fans who want to race competitively,” said Paul Jeal, F1 Franchise Director at Codemasters. “Driver Transfers, in particular, are something that we know our players have craved for several years, and it’s fantastic to now have that functionality integrated into our 10-year Career mode and build upon the seasonal rule changes we introduced in F1 2018 to create unique player storylines from season to season.”

“The extra development time has enabled the team to both improve and add several new features,” said Lee Mather, F1 2019 Game Director at Codemasters. “The addition of F2, complete with their rules and unique race weekends will give racing fans a new experience and we are particularly proud of the visual uplift to key tracks including Monaco and Bahrain, complete with all-new night-lighting effects. The early release date will enable our fans to develop their own rivalries two months earlier than previous seasons and we can’t wait for them to get their hands on the final game.”

For future news, follow Codemasters F1 games blog and social channels on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and IO Interactive today released a new trailer showcasing the first Expansion Pass location coming to HITMAN 2, entitled ‘New York.’ Available tomorrow (25^th June) for all Expansion Pass and Expansion Pack 1 owners, the New York location will include the brand-new ‘Golden Handshake’ campaign mission, along with contracts mode for the mission, new challenges, unlocks, achievements and more. New York will also include its own Mastery Progression system, and each level of location mastery reached will unlock either a new starting point, agency pickup, tool or weapon for your inventory, which can all be carried over to other locations and missions.
https://youtu.be/eXeestJn4Go

The HITMAN 2 Expansion Pass is available now for £32.99, which includes Expansion Pack 1 & 2. The Expansion Pass is included in the HITMAN™ 2 – Gold Edition, which also features the next upcoming location, Sniper Assassin maps, new challenges, various missions, outfits and weapons, as well as the Executive Pack featuring the Italian black leather briefcase and ICA 19 Blackballer pistol in-game items, all for £79.99 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One and £74.99 on Steam.

HITMAN 2 is the follow-up to the internationally acclaimed video game, HITMAN. Featuring entirely new hyper-detailed sandbox locations full of living, breathing environments to explore, HITMAN 2 offers players the freedom to plan the ultimate assassination utilising an assortment of tools, weapons, disguises and a variety of stealth techniques to creatively trigger their own unique chain of events.

HITMAN 2 introduces new ways to play with the Sniper Assassin mode, a standalone feature that brings a co-op experience to the Hitman series for the first time, allowing two players to work together online to take down their targets. HITMAN 2 also features a unique and brand-new take on 1-versus-1 multiplayer competition with Ghost Mode. Players can put their assassination skills to the ultimate test as they compete against each other online, both as Agent 47, to assassinate the most targets faster and cleaner than their opponent, while utilising weapons, items, outfits and ghost crate supply drops to help accomplish the overall mission.

HITMAN 2 is available now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and PC.

To learn more about HITMAN 2, please visit www.hitman.com or join the HITMAN 2 conversation on Twitter (@Hitman), Facebook (@Hitman), Instagram (@Hitman), YouTube (Hitman), Twitch (Hitman), Discord (Hitman), Reddit (Hitman) or the Hitman Forum.

Crash is ready for fans to take him for a spin, as Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is now available for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro, Nintendo Switch, and the family of Xbox One devices from Microsoft, including the Xbox One X.

Then, the fur will fly on July 3^rd when the game’s Grand Prix kicks off with free downloadable seasonal content for anyone who has purchased the game, including a newly themed track each season, as well as themed characters, karts and other customization items that players can earn when connected to the internet.

Developed by Beenox and Published by Activision, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is built from the ground up and remasters the original Crash Team Racing game by bringing the characters, karts, tracks and arenas to modern console HD graphics. In the game, the stakes are high and the competition is fierce as players race with a variety of Crash Bandicoot series characters, including Crash, Coco, Dr. Neo Cortex and others against the egomaniacal Nitros Oxide to save our planet from destruction.

In the game, fans will be able to see Crash and friends’ expressions and antics in beautiful fur-k detail as they blast each other with power-ups and whiz around the corners in all the tracks from the original CTR game, as well as re-imagined tracks and karts from Cras Nitro Kart. What’s more, the legendary kart racer debuts competitive online gameplay just in time to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

“The wait is finally over, and we couldn’t be more thrilled that Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is ready for its inaugural ride,” said Thomas Wilson, Co-Studio Head at Beenox. “A lot of care and attention to detail went into developing this game for fans of the original Crash Team Racing 20 years ago, and new fans who expect a modern kart racing experience. Staying true to the original CTR games, while adding so much more content and creating a living, breathing world that just wasn’t possible on first generation platforms has been a true labour of love!”

For the first time in 20 years, Crash Team Racing fans will have the opportunity to customize their karts and characters in Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled! The remastered game will offer players a variety of ways to mix and match kart bodies, wheels, paint jobs, stickers, and even add decals to karts.  Now fans – both new and those who first fell in love with the ’90s classic — can create a sweet looking ride!

“When it comes to remastering the beloved IP in Activision’s portfolio of games, quality, authenticity, and community are the key pillars that drive everything we do,” said Michelle Fonseca, VP of Product Management and Marketing at Activision.

In addition to the ability to customize karts, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled will also let players customize their racers with some N. sane character skins. This will allow players to adorn their characters with a zany sense of swag and personality.  Also new to the CTR experience are unique podium animations available to certain skins, making celebrating victories even more amazing. Players can earn select customization items by playing through the Adventure Mode and additional items by collecting and using in-game Wumpa Coins when connected to the internet to swag out their kart and characters in the game’s Pit Stop area. What’s more, character stats, just as you remember, are returning and will include Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced classes.

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled and Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled – Nitros Oxide Edition (digital deluxe) are now available worldwide.

Information about Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled can be found at www.crashbandicoot.com/crashteamracing.

In a new trailer coming directly from the Tales of Festival in Yokohama, Japan, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. has revealed the names of the brave protagonists fighting for freedom in Tales of Arise.

Shionne is a girl from the planet Rena, who is cursed with “Thorns”, which causes pain to anyone and everyone she touches. Alphen is a young man from the planet Dahna who feels no pain and bears no memories. Equipped with their own ideals and values, they band together and decide to fight for the freedom of Dahna.

Tales of Arise, the latest adventure in the long-running Tales of series was announced last week at E3 2019 in Los Angeles. The game will be available for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC in 2020.