Even if you've only got just a little bit of pocket money, you're sure to find something here that'll float your boat, and with Guru's guidance you'll never be stuck with a dud App or Download again! So read on and enter a world of discount gaming...
RUSH BROS.
PC (Steam)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: n/a
When it comes to videogames and music, there's a whole lot of brothers going on. Whether it's the Chemical Brothers, Dust Brothers, or Mario Brothers - they all do their own thing, with loads of style!
So along comes Rush Bros. a musical indie platform racer, that tries it's best to fuse the best of both worlds (music and platforming), taking inspiration from music rhythm games, platformers like Super Meat Boy, and a healthy dose of psychedelic eye-candy, to really mess with your head.
The results are a bit of a mish-mash that never totally gels, but that said, there's still quite a bit of fun to be had, particularly in the multiplayer modes. Some of the highlights from Rush Bros. include a brilliant soundtrack by Infected Mushroom, large trap infested levels sporting spikes and buzz saws, not to mention, some genuinely great looking visuals that suit the techno vibe.
But alas, Rush Bros. never quite hits the mark. While the music is awesome, the platform gameplay is lackluster and somewhat repetitive. For all of the cool ideas and potential that Rush Bros. had, it could have been oh so much better. As it stands, it's an average platformer, that happens to have an exceptional soundtrack.
All in all, it's a game that's far more enjoyable to listen to than play. That said, the experience does get a whole lot better when playing with friends. The good news is the price. Rush Bros. can be purchased in a 2-Pack Bundle for $14.99 via Steam. Pretty good value if you wanna go head to head against some real-world rivals...
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: n/a
When it comes to videogames and music, there's a whole lot of brothers going on. Whether it's the Chemical Brothers, Dust Brothers, or Mario Brothers - they all do their own thing, with loads of style!
So along comes Rush Bros. a musical indie platform racer, that tries it's best to fuse the best of both worlds (music and platforming), taking inspiration from music rhythm games, platformers like Super Meat Boy, and a healthy dose of psychedelic eye-candy, to really mess with your head.
The results are a bit of a mish-mash that never totally gels, but that said, there's still quite a bit of fun to be had, particularly in the multiplayer modes. Some of the highlights from Rush Bros. include a brilliant soundtrack by Infected Mushroom, large trap infested levels sporting spikes and buzz saws, not to mention, some genuinely great looking visuals that suit the techno vibe.
But alas, Rush Bros. never quite hits the mark. While the music is awesome, the platform gameplay is lackluster and somewhat repetitive. For all of the cool ideas and potential that Rush Bros. had, it could have been oh so much better. As it stands, it's an average platformer, that happens to have an exceptional soundtrack.
All in all, it's a game that's far more enjoyable to listen to than play. That said, the experience does get a whole lot better when playing with friends. The good news is the price. Rush Bros. can be purchased in a 2-Pack Bundle for $14.99 via Steam. Pretty good value if you wanna go head to head against some real-world rivals...
NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. 2
3DS / 3DS XL
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: G
Mario is back for another thrilling dose of Super Mario Bros. platform adventuring, and this time he'll be commin' at you in 3D. The awesome debut of New Super Mario Bros. 2 coincides with Nintendo's release of the bigger and better 3DS XL, so you just know that the game is gonna be HUGE!!!
As you'd expect the game delivers big time - it's an '11' on the Fun Factor scale of '1 - 10', so there'll be no disappointments for all you Mario fans out there. All your fave Mushroom Kingdom characters make an appearance in cameos alongside the mustachioed star himself, as he embarks on an epic quest to rescue his beloved Princess Peach.
Guru will give you a bit of a hint here... this time ‘round it’s all about the gold coins. The main aim of the game is to survive all the dangerous enemies and obstacles, while collecting one million of those shiny little suckers! And believe me, when the Guru says he was on a mission to get every single last one of them - but hey, that's how we roll...
The good news is that our little plumber friend has a bunch of tricks up his sleeves, with the funky Racoon Suit transforming him into Racoon Mario. Wearing these groovy duds Mario can use a nifty 'tail swipe' move and is able to 'float' and 'fly' as he races through levels at super speed! In addition to this, he also has his trademark 'Jumbo Mario' change-up which super-sizes him, perfect for putting the smack down on his opponents. Then there's the 'Gold Mario' and 'Fire Mario' power-ups which will leave his enemies seeing great balls of fire!
There are an absolute stack of wicked worlds to play through and explore. Guru also got a kick outta the 'Coin Rush' game mode where you get three random levels and only one life to get as many gold coins as possible - it's way cool! Better still, 'Co-Op' mode allows you to team up with a friend, and you'll even get to score the coins they earn while playing with you. How brilliant is that?
New Super Mario Bros. 2 is available both on cart or can be downloaded via Nintendo’s e-shop. All in all, there's hours and hours of platforming fun to be had here with Mario and the gang. This is the sort of fast-twitch gaming never gets old and the eye-popping 3D visuals make Mario look better than ever before! Go team Mario - you're onto a winner here!!!
FEZ
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single Player
Rated: G
Meet Gomez... a cute liitle, pixelated 2D guy, living in a flat 2D world. Or is he? 
FEZ
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single Player
Rated: G
Gomez and his Fez (little red hat) must embark on a perception twisting journey hopping between 2D and 3D to overcome all manner of obstacles, in his quest to recover the lost cube fragments. Players need to think outside of the box, shift between dimensions, experiment and explore, if they hope to discover the many hidden treasures of Gomez’s world.
Retro visuals, an innovative 2D/3D perspective switching mechanic (not unlike CRUSH3D), and absolutely truckloads of charm make this one a real winner – awesome stuff!!!
FREAKYFORMS: Your Creations, Alive!
3DS (Nintendo eShop)
Single Player
Rating: G
Taking inspiration from creative adventures like the innovative Drawn to Life and Spore, FreakyForms is the Nintendo 3DS take on the popular genre. This is another awesomely cool download from the Nintendo eShop which really delivers the goods.
The name of the game is to create a bizarre collection of crazy creatures called Formees and then use them to explore an obstacle filled game world. As you progress, more and more features become unlocked, allowing you to create new Formees and explore new areas.
The more Formees you create, the bigger your world becomes, making the possibilities endless. This is brilliant stuff for the creative at heart or anyone with a wild imagination. It’s stacks of fun and you can even send and receive new Formees via Street Pass and QR Code images. All in all, Freaky Forms totally rocks – wicked!!!
MINECRAFT: Xbox 360 Edition
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: PG
Minecraft has taken the world by storm as one of the most addictive games ever made! Start playing and you’ll find it hard to put it down.
It’s a simple concept. A first-person game where you explore and build using what you find in the game world. It’s amazing! Looking at the blocky “el-chunko” retro visuals, you’d be forgiven for writing this one off. But if you did, you’d be missing out big time!
There’s little doubt that Minecraft’s mash-up of gameplay styles (including first-person adventure, creation, and exploration) just works. It’s got tons of charm too and a healthy dose of castle defense at night (watch out for those nasty Creepers!).
So now that this blockbuster has come to Xbox 360 as an XBL download, there’s no excuses for missing out on this brilliant game. MineCraft is one of the great videogame experiences of the decade – download and play it now!!!
PULLBLOX (a.k.a. Pushmo)
3DS (Nintendo eShop)
Single Player
Rated: G
If you’re a fan of brain-busting puzzlers, you’re gonna go bananas over this new 3DS download. PullBlox (a.k.a. Pushmo in the US) is another ripper title from the Nintendo eShop and it’s easily as good as any cart title out there!
In fact, it puts to shame some of the 3rd Party games we’ve seen on 3DS. This fantastic puzzler puts you in the shoes of a weird looking dog creature who runs around a Pushmo playground in nothing but his Sumo underwear. His job. To undo all the mischief a meanie has been unleashing on the park, by trapping little kids inside the Pushmo playground equipment.
To do so, he must solve a bunch of increasingly difficult 3D playground puzzles, in which you must lend a helping hand. It’s up to you to pull and push Blox in the correct order so that Dog Boy can make his way to the top of each puzzle and save the trapped kids!
You can even create your own puzzles in PullBlox Studio and share them with all your mates! How cool is that? PullBlox is some of the best 2D/3D puzzle action around – It’s a must play for anyone with a 3DS!!!
JOURNEY
PS3 (PSN)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: G
Journey is one of those great “kick-back & relax” videogames that needs to be experienced to be fully understood. From the creators behind cult classics flOw and Flower comes another unique gaming experience that takes us on an atmospheric journey of discovery that errs on the side of the spiritual. Sporting simple controls (the Left Analogue Stick moves your character, while Tilt Control moves the camera), players take control of an explorer who awakens in a strange desert world. Where are we? Who are we? Why are we here? All questions that come to mind, but are left unanswered. Rather than being spoon-fed some derivative storyline we've all seen a million times before, we are left to our own devices to derive meaning from the jourmey itself. For once we have to think, bringing a part of ourselves to the floating hooded character, who slowly walks the sands and floats on gusts of wind.
As the journey unfolds, players will slowly uncover an ancient civilization’s long forgotten history within the sand blasted ruins scattered all over the world. They'll explore, cross paths with strangers (other Online Players) who will join them in their quest at various points in the game, solve simple puzzles, and encounter alien creatures that travel the breeze. All the while, making their way slowly towards the mysterious mountain looming on the horizon. This is one trip that Guru can’t recommend enough. It's a must play for all PS3 owners looking for something different. Journey is the ultimate chillaxing game experience - brilliant stuff!!!
MIGHTY SWITCH FORCE!
3DS (Nintendo eShop)
Single Player
Rated: PG
If you’re looking for a shoot ‘em up, side-scrolling, sci-fi actioner Mighty Switch Force should hit the spot. From the guys that brought you the brilliant Mighty Flip Champs! on DS comes their latest action/platform epic – this time in retina melting 3D!
Space Hooligans have escaped and are unleashing carnage and mayhem all over the planet. It’s up to you, the ‘hard as nails’ heroine Patricia Wagon, to stop them in their tracks! You’re a robo-peace keeper armed with a cool Pellet Gun and a bizarro world-altering Helmet Siren that helps reveal all manner of hidden secrets. Mighty Switch Force! is totally wild ‘Run & Gun’ action mashed-up with slick 3D visuals and brain-busting puzzles, making this some of the best fun available for download from Nintendo’s eShop for 3DS – be sure to check it out!
WHERE’S MY WATER?
iPod Touch / iPhone / iPad
Single Player
Rated: G
This cool little app introduces Disney Mobile’s first game character – Swampy. He’s a cute cartoon alligator who wants a shower. Guide water through a maze of earth, rock, and broken pipes to Swampy’s bathtub and help him get nice and clean. There are stacks of obstacles to keep you on your toes (toxic waste) and collectibles (rubber duckies) for bonus points, so the challenges just keep on coming - getting clean has never been so much fun!
POKEDEX 3D
3DS (Nintendo eShop)
Here’s a ripper freebie 3DS App for all you Pokemaniacs out there! It’s called PokeDex 3D and it allows you to collect over 150 Pocket Monsters from the latest Pokemon Black and White versions. You can view each of the Pokemon in gorgeous 3D and even zoom in and out or rotate them. Additionally, each Pokemon’s unique cry can be heard and all their Stats reviewed. You can even take AR pics of yourself with the Pokemon you’ve collected – PokeDex 3D is a must have download for any Pokemon Trainer with a 3DS, and best of all, it won’t cost you a cent!
FRUIT NINJA
Xbox 360 (Kinect / XBL)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: G
Kinect is about to take the humble “Karate Chop” to new levels, when the awesome cult classic Fruit Ninja makes the jump from the iPod to XBL! Instead of boring touch controls, Fruit Ninja on Kinect sports totally mental, arm-swinging controller-less, chop-o-matic action!!! Simple to play, hard to master, and addictive as anything; the name of the game is to “Slice & Dice” any and all fruit that is thrown your way. Additionally, there’s a new multiplayer mode, so you can slice it up side-by-side with a mate – chop, chop!
THE GUNSTRINGER
Xbox 360 (Kinect / XBL)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: M (recommended for older gamer kids)
From the creators of XBL hits like The Maw and Splosion Man comes a cool new Kinect title that puts you in control of a puppet-tronic gunslinger who’s on a bullet-riddled trail of revenge! Best described as a bizarre Spaghetti Western starring a whacked-out skeleton from the Thunderbirds who’s weirdly dressed in Wild West duds;
INSANELY TWISTED SHADOW PLANET
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: PG
Guru’s been loving the XBL and PSN Download titles of late and they only seem to be getting better! This absolutely awesome mouthful of a game (try saying Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, quickly, ten times in a row – I dare you!) is easily one of the best! At it’s core the game is a side-scrolling platform shooter (which has been mish-mashed with puzzle solving and exploration), and it sports some of the most incredibly stunning visuals since the Patapon titles on PSP.
Not only does the game look da bomb, the gameplay explodes addictively throughout the ever more challenging levels. The environmental design, sound, and bizarre other-worldly creations give the whole thing an alien look, in-keeping with the somewhat obscure storyline. You’re an alien explorer / protector, sent to stop an evil (it’s black) force which is corrupting planets. You come complete with a U.F.O. and an array of robo-arm mounted gadgets (including a Robo-Claw and Laser Gun), which’ll allow you to overcome the deadly obstacles you’ll face on this harsh world – try ITSP, it’s brilliant!
SONIC CD
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: G
Old school retro platformers don’t get much faster than this! Zooming around with the our old pal Sonic is always a blast and he’s always sure to deliver tons speedy fast-twitch action. This XBL download has given the original a bit of a polish, but it still keeps all that Sonic charm.
So why not join our heroic hedgehog, as he burns up levels in an attempt to rescue Amy Rose from his cyborg nemesis Metal Sonic? If you have a need for speed and love platformers, Sonic CD is a pixel perfect retro experience - a blistering blast from the past that Sonic fans are sure to lap up – check it out!!!
KINECTIMALS Now With Bears
Xbox 360 (Kinect / XBL)
Single Player
Rated: G
Ever wanted to have a pet Polar Bear or Panda? Well now you can! The awesome Kinectimals has just been given an upgrade, adding Bears into the mix… Now Pandas and Polars join the Wild Cats you can pet. Available as a new stand-alone release, or an XBL download for owners of the original, players can interact with even more cute and cuddly baby animals! It’s an extra dose of cuteness to an already brilliant virtual pet experience! I mean, who can hope to resist those rolly-polly Pandas?
BASTION
Xbox 360 (XBL download)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: PG
Action RPGs (Role Playing Games) are a dime a dozen on Xbox 360, but if you’re looking for something a bit different in this well-worn genre, Bastion is a much needed breath of fresh air. Rather than your typical cookie cutter Dungeon Crawler, Bastion owes much of it’s charm to those bedtime stories you were told as a young kid. Essentially, Bastion is an Interactive Storybook with RPG trappings, where you take on the starring role of the Kid.
What really breaks this one outta the mould though, is the fantastic narration, which spends as much time describing the actions of your on-screen character, as the unfolding storyline. It’s like this mysterious guy knows you’re destined for greatness in this epic adventure, and he’s chronicling your awesome achievements which will soon become legend. Sporting gorgeous cartoon visuals, stacks of upgradable weapons and magic potions, in addition to monster battles and saving the world – Bastion is a cool new spin on RPGs that fans are sure to get a kick out of – awesome!
THE ADVENTURES OF SHUGGY
Xbox 360 (XBL download)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: G
Here’s an entertaining XBL Download which offers some fun 2D puzzle platforming for a measly 800 MS Points. The Adventures of Shuggy delivers over 100 Levels of brain-busting fun as kooky cartoon vampire Shuggy explores his newly inherited mansion. His quest, if you choose to accept it, is to rid this haunted house of all spirits, ghosts, and ghoulies. But to do so, Shuggy must venture through all manner of scarifying areas like the Graveyard, Dungeon, and Boiler Room, whilst completing numerous Challenges to unlock new areas on the Map. There are even some cool Boss Battles to mix things up a bit, and some entertaining Multiplayer to be had!
FROM DUST
Xbox 360 (XBL) / PS3 (PSN)
Single Player
Rated: G
Ubisoft’s latest is an incredibly cool God-game which plays out on the ravaged sister planet to Earth. Here time speeds forward, eroding the terrain and dynamically changing the environment as the minutes tick past. Nature and the elements are the stars here, and you are the god-like Deity with the power to manipulate this world to help your people. Natives led by a mystical Shaman. It’s up to you to help this ancient tribe survive, so they can discover the lost knowledge and powers of their ancestors. The power to change this alien world in your hands, so use it wisely. Create mountains, rivers, and islands; changing this living, breathing planet to help protect the creatures that live upon it – amazing stuff!
TRENCHED
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: M (recommended for older gamer kids)
This cool blend of action-packed shooter and strategic tower defence title put players in control of a series of powerful Mechs (big-ass robots) called Trenches to do battle with a nutzoid megalomaniac hell-bent on taking over the world. Each mission is different, requiring players to defend anything from single to multiple targets depending on your level objectives. The name of the game is to pick the right Robo for the job, deploy your Tactical Turrets in the best strategic positions, and then blast any invading enemy that moves. Jam-packed with tons of explosive action, and loads of carnage and mayhem, Trenched is a download title that really delivers the goods. Ideal for all you older gamers out there, Guru highly recommends giving this one a crack – he’s sure you’ll really dig it!
MIGHT & MAGIC: Clash of Heroes
Xbox 360 (XBL) / PS3 (PSN)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: PG
Fans of Role Playing Games are sure to lap up this awesome new RPG with a a nifty puzzler twist, a great new take on the Might & Magic universe. Get set for a fantastic mix of fantasy, strategy, puzzles, exploration, and battles, which is sure to entertain anyone with even a passing interest in adventure games. Add lush manga-styled visuals and fun Multiplayer modes and you have an instant download classic – brilliant stuff!
GUWANGE
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single Player
Rated: M (recommended for older gamer kids)
Here’s a bizarre, decade-old, retro-styled, arcade shooter from Cave / Atlus that’s blasted it’s way onto XBL. Guwange has a distinct mythological Japanese flavour, featuring feudal styled characters shooting-up anything and everything that moves, while nabbing any power-ups or gold coins that come their way. This is fast-twitch play at it’s best, a vertical scrolling blast-fest that only slows down when you die!!!
BOMBERMAN Live Battlefest
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: G
Playing Bomberman is always a blast and this latest XBL instalment is code-named Live Battlefest. As you’d expect this paves the way for tons of explosive puzzle-action through 12 arenas, which are scattered with all sorts of destructive power-ups and gimmicks. Throw in 8-way multiplayer and a bunch of play modes and your head is sure to explode with Bomberman joy!!!
OUTLAND
Xbox 360 (XBL) / PS3 (PSN)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: PG
Outland is easily the best Download title that Guru has played in the last few months, and if you give it a crack, you’ll quickly find out why! The game is an absolutely gorgeous looking 2D platformer, that mixes several different gameplay styles to create something unique and unbelievably addictive. Players take control of a spry sword wielding protagonist, who is imbued with the ancient magical powers of Darkness (Blue) and Light (Red).
The whole game revolves around using these awesome powers to overcome specific obstacles, battle raging monsters, and solving cool puzzles, all of which have a colour polarity. This might all sound like you’ve been there and done that. But this isn’t a simple Prince of Persia clone. The level design is outstanding, and the progressive way in which you learn new colour skills (in turn, opening up new areas and challenges) is excellent. All in all, you can’t go wrong with this brilliant game – Outland is freakin’ fantastic!!!
STACKING
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single Player
Rated: PG
From the creator of Psychonauts, one of Guru’s all time faves, comes Stacking. It’s a unique world inhabited by Russian Stacking Dolls. This is one of the strangest puzzle / adventures Guru’s ever played, but he absolutely loved it. Players can use the abilities of over 100 dolls to solve puzzles and complete challenges – it’s brilliant!
BEJEWELED Blitz
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: G
Pop Cap’s legendary brain-melting, gem-matching puzzler comes to XBL complete with insane 16-way online multiplayer matches. Bejeweled Blitz delivers the goods when it comes to puzzle games, it’s simple to pick up and way challenging. If you’re looking for frantic puzzle-action, nothing else comes close – awesome!
RASKULLS
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: PG
Raskulls is a wildly entertaining, action-packed platformer that only gets better with friends! Single Player offers 3 Chapters and over 60 Levels of frantic platforming, where players control heroic bone-heads like Bonesaw and Dragon, as they race towards the finish line, collecting all sorts of power-ups along the way – way cool!
FAERY: Legends of Avalon
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single Player
Rated: PG
Here’s an epic Role Playing Game (RPG) that sees players become a Faery Warrior tasked with saving the kingdom. It’s up to you to enlist the help of two companions and embark on an exciting adventure to restore magic to the land. Jam-packed with mythical beasts, turn-based battles, and fetch quests; Faery is an entertaining RPG!
BEYOND GOOD & EVIL HD
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single Player
Rating: PG
If Game Guru had to put together a Top 10 of his fave Adventure games, Beyond Good & Evil would have to be one of the first to make the list! This brilliant game slipped through the cracks when it was first released, and it’s one of the best games that people never played. With a bit of luck, this re-booted HD version will be a hit on XBL (it really deserves it) and a whole new generation of gamers will discover this awesome title.
Players take control of young reporter Jade, who with the help of her pig-man side-kick Pey’j, must expose a terrible government conspiracy and save their planet. Featuring varied gameplay that embraces everything from exploration and puzzles, to photography and combat, it’s the game’s storyline and characters which make Beyond Good & Evil a true stand-out, Guru can’t recommend it enough!
SUPER MEAT BOY
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single Player
Rated: M (recommended for older gamer kids)
Guru has mentioned this uber-challenging platformer before, but it’s one of the best, so he thought he’d plug it again! It’s truly twisted, but as long as you don’t barf at the sight of blood (our hero is a chunk of meat), you’re sure to have a scream leading MB (Meat Boy) through a deadly maze of grinders, buzzsaws, and bosses to save his gal pal!
X-MEN
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: PG
This Double Dragon / Streets of Rage inspired 1994 brawler, is just what the Guru ordered! X-Men allows players to go all “old school” and enjoy retro beat ‘em up action with up to 6 of their mates. Choose your fave Mutant (Cyclops, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Storm, etc.) and team-up to lay the smackdown on the bad guys!
MICROBOT
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single Player
Rated: PG
This microscopic sci-fi shooter sees players injected into a human body in a MicroBot ship, Fantastic Voyage style! Nanobots created to boost peoples health have turned nasty and are joining viruses to attack the body. It’s up to you and your high-tech ship to blast ‘em outta your host’s body. Expect frenzied arcade shoot ‘em up action!
TNT RACERS
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: G
It’s time to slam the “pedal to the metal” in this explosive arcade-styled racer that’s absolutely jam-packed with wacky power-ups and weapons. It’s all about your need for speed, wild tracks, insane tricks and winning, of course! Choose from a crazy collection of cars, and go head-to-head with up to three of your mates – awesome!
ILOMILO
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single & Multiplayer
Rating: G
Here’s a stunning puzzler that’s inspired by the texile flavoured visuals of LittleBigPlanet and Kirby’s Epic Yarn. Ilomilo is one of the most charming puzzle games Guru’s played in ages and while the concept is simple, the ever increasing difficulty of the puzzle challenges will often leave you scratching your head. Basically, players need to bring little sack-dudes ilo and milo together to complete each of the levels.
Of course, there are lots of obstacles between them, overcoming them is sure to tease your brain. There are tons of pick-ups along the way, including sack-kids to be saved, and wacky blocks that will help you overcome many of the pitfalls that you’ll face. Guru thinks ilomilo plays a lot like an ultra-cute version of Echochrome and it offers multiplayer too – Fantastic fun for family and friends!
SPARE PARTS
Xbox 360 (XBL) / PS3 (PSN)
Single & Multiplayer
Rating: G
If you’re looking for some robo-platform adventuring, mixed with item collection and mechanical biffo, Spare Parts is for you! This single-player platformer also allows one of your mates to join in the fun. So team up and take on the role of dynamic droid-duo Mar-T and Chip, as they explore a strange alien planet looking for parts to repair their spaceship. Battle bizarre alien wildlife and lay the smackdown on the evil Lord Krung’s minions. You’ll even collect cool power-up upgrades enhancing your robo-abilities with items like Rocket Boots and Power Arms. All in all, Spare Parts offers some solid co-op sci-fi action!
MIRROR’S EDGE
iPad
Single & Multiplayer
Rating: PG
It’s incredible when an iPad port, completely smashes it’s console counterpart, offering a far more entertaining version of the same game! Ditching all of the First Person Parkour-styled antics in favour of a far more exhilarating, fast-twitch side-scrolling style of gameplay, Mirror’s Edge on iPad looks and feels like an Urban Free-Running game should. The game is ultra responsive, has a gorgeous visual style, and to top it all off, it offers a two player mode! Each opponent simultaneously takes control of one side of the iPad, showing off their mad skillz, running, jumping, and avoiding obstacles, in a thrilling race for the finishing line – Excellent stuff!!!
SWARM
PS3 (PSN) / Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single Player
Rated: PG
Guru recently got hands-on with an awesome new game called Swarm which stars a bunch of loveable (and totally moronic) pint-sized aliens that have the nasty habit of getting themselves killed in a variety of hilarious ways. Inspired by videogame classics Pikmin and Lemmings, Swarm puts you in control of a… well, swarm of 50 pudgy blue alien mites. The name of the game is to make your way through each of the death-defying levels, avoiding as many dangerous pitfalls and booby-traps as possible. The idea is to help as many of your Swarmites to the exit, before they end up getting killed, which is far easier said than done – it’s also a whole lotta fun!
PAC-MAN Championship Edition
PS3 / PSP (PSN)
Single Player
Rated: G
Love him or hate him, Pac-Man is one of those timeless videogame icons like Mario, Sonic, and Donkey Kong. There are more Pac-Man games in existence than you could probably count on your fingers and toes, not to mention, some kooky spin-offs that never really delivered. But it’s the “old school”, tried and tested gameplay, that always comes up trumps. It’s all about gobbling down power pills and ghosts while trying for that High Score. This Championship Edition is a great re-vamp of the game that’s cheap, entertaining, and can be played on both PS3 and PSP. Check it out, you might just catch Pac-Man Fever again!
BIT. TRIP FATE
Wii (WiiWare)
Single Player
Rated: G
Join heroic CommanderVideo the pixellated star of the awesome retro Bit.Trip series of games in his latest "old school" adventure. This time around it's an "on the rails" side-scrolling blast-fest set to rival the legendary Space Invaders. Players use the Nunchuk to control the blocky Commander and the Wii-mote is used to "point 'n shoot" at the endless stream of enemies that you'll face. Throw in a bunch of wicked power-ups and blaster upgrades and you have one of the craziest retro shooters of all time - it'll blow you away!!!
FLICK BUDDIES
iPod Touch / iPad / iPhone (iTunes)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: PG
Here's some entertaining arcade-style fun for all you iPod, iPad, iPhone fans out there. It's simple to play and only gets better with friends. It's called Flick Buddies and the name of the game is to flick the funky little cartoon buddies so they hit the target as many times as possible within the time limit. It sounds easy, but it can get really frantic especially once you realise that buddies are bouncey and the game arena can contain all sorts of obstacles like teleport portals and death vortexes. You'll also bounce off walls and opponent buddies, so some quick strategic flicking is in order, if you hope to win the match!
LIGHT TRAX
Wii (WiiWare)
Single Player
Rated: G
Light Trax is part of the highly acclaimed Art Style series of games, which take innovation and simplicity of gameplay, to completely new levels. These games are often extremely cool and totally addictive - Light Trax is no different! It's basically a retro racer, where players play a single coloured beam in a broken up spectrum of light. You'll play this solitary colour, which is racing against a rainbow of competitors all vying for the finish line. It's up to you to avoid obstacles that will slow you down, predict turns to scrape by walls, score power-ups, and strategically boost when needed. You'll need reflexes "faster than the speed of light" if you hope to outrun every other coloured beam and take out first place - cool!
THE UNDERGARDEN
Xbox 360 (XBL)
Single Player
Rated: G
Have you had enough of blowing stuff up and shooting things in videogames? Well, why not try creating a groovy underwater garden in this funky new videogame download. Instead of tons of agro, and action, action, action; The Undergarden offers far more laid back gameplay, where you can relax and chill out to some ambient techno tunes. Players take control of a bizarre little water imp which floats and swims around a submerged cavern.
PS3 (PSN)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: PG
If you're looking for a game that delivers fist-fulls of AWESOME, and you've always dreamed of starring in your very own over-the-top, comic-book, chop-sockey flick - Kung-Fu Live is just for you!!! While you might look like a total tool when you're playing the game, you won't care 'coz you'll be having so much fun! So will your mates, 'coz they'll be rolling around on the floor with laughter. The key to all this entertainment is lots of space, costumes (if you're game), a well lit room, and a PlayStation Eye camera. Oh, and be sure to invite your friends around, 'coz this is one hell of a party game!!! Crank up your PS3 and after a few simple steps you'll be zapped onto the screen with super-incredible martial arts skillz! Kung-Fu Live is totally mental, off-the-wall fun - check it out!
Wii (Wii Ware)
Single Player
Rated: G
Some of the Wii Ware titles Guru has been playing lately have totally blown him away!!! They’re cheap, usually quite entertaining, and developers are usually far more open to experimentation which allows for some incredibly unique and creative titles that normally would never see the light of day.
And Yet It Moves is one of the best out there and it’s a must play for anyone who owns a Wii console. The concept is simple. It’s basically a platformer where players must get the hero (a hand-drawn dude with more than a passing resemblance to Fido Dido) from point “A” to point “B” without dying. As you’d expect players can run and jump, but the real kicker is that you also need to rotate the game world using your Wii-mote, opening up all sorts of crazy possibilities.
Add a bunch of items in the environment like falling rocks and other gravity driven hazards, and you have all the makings of a classic platform puzzler. AYIM is awesome fun and is sure to make you flex your mental muscles!
LARA CROFT & THE GUARDIAN OF LIGHT
Xbox 360 (XBL) / PS3 (PSN)
Single & Multiplayer
Rated: PG
The Tomb Raider games have always been a solitary experience, but this new take on a Lara Croft adventure is all about playing with a mate. “Two heads are better than one”, so the saying goes. Lara Croft and The Guardian of Light bears this out, delivering an action-packed puzzle platform experience that’s more fun with friends.
EPIC WIN
iPod Touch (iTunes) / iPhone (iTunes) / iPad (iTunes)
Single Player
Rated: G
Epic Win is freakin’ AWESOME!!! It’s not often that an iPhone / iPod Touch app can transform your whole life into fun and games, but this one sure does! So what is Epic Win, I hear you ask? Well, it’s designed around the gaming concepts and art style of a funky Role Playing Game (RPG). As you’d expect, players pick a character (Warrior, Skeleton, Axe wielding Dwarf, etc.) and embark on epic Quests to earn Experience Points (XP), Level Up, and score tons of weird Loot!
Sounds like your typical RPG, but where Epic Win is different, is that the Quests are actually normal, everyday tasks you set for yourself in the real world. You even get to choose how many XP you’ll earn and the specific character attribute which gets a boost from completing the task. So now boring chores and homework become fun, you’ll be earning XP and bizarre Loot doing it, and with any luck, become even more productive in the process. Epic Win is for winners in the game of life!!!
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 4: Episode 1
PS3 (PSN) / Xbox 360 (XBL) / Wii (WiiWare)
Single Player
Rated: G
Anyone that loves the retro Sonic games on Mega Drive, are gonna totally flip their lid over Sonic the Hedgehog 4. This is about as close to a pure version of “old school” gameplay you’re ever gonna get without putting up with a bunch of chunky pixels on the screen! Basically, players are given an authentic 2D Sonic experience – a mix of addictive platforming and absolutely tons of speed, speed, speed – but with the slick visuals of a next-gen game. Sonic has never looked this good. The colours are authentically vibrant and there’s not a pixel in sight. It’s challenging too; and best of all, it’s got a nice price being a PSN / XBL / WiiWare download. Way to go Sonic!
