It’s almost 2010, and for the video game world, that means that Microsoft and Sony are preparing to release their motion controllers for the Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively. Now while we know the PS3′s looks and acts like a more accurate Wiimote that works better with hard core games, Microsoft’s Project Natal has remained far more ambiguous, especially as to how it will handle particularly intense games like Halo or Call of Duty.

Until now.

A leaked video has popped up on the internet over the past 24 hours showing off  EA’s Half Life 2 running on Project Natal. Anyone who’s played Half Life 2 knows that it definitely goes up there in that “intense games” category, so this is a pretty big step showing that Natal will be able to play these more intense games without the need for a traditional 360 controller. How well does it play? We can’t really judge conclusively based on the brief 1 minute video, but from my take the graphics look traditional Xbox 360 awesome (the video is on a decent-looking camera and the game is said to only be in the early stages of development), and after getting used to them, the movement and controls should take you into games on a whole new level– particularly as this all gets refined and finished up before release.

Who else out there hoping Madden 11 and Halo 4 are Natal capable?

Video of Half Life 2 on Natal after the break.

A couple of weeks ago we wrote a little preview post on EA’s upcoming successor to their hit Need for Speed racing franchise: Need for Speed Shift. Over the past couple weeks,  we got a chance to review the game, and as far as adding this racing game to your holiday wish list, we gotta say– one of the best racing games we’ve ever played. It really is a great racing game. Read on for a full review.

Graphics

This is where Need for Speed really shines. The graphics– on everything from the sick cars (we’re talking BMW’s, Ashton Martin’s, Lamborghini’s etc.) to the actually driving and looks of the tracks and other cars as you drive– is absolutely amazing. It really looks that great and is one of the best features of the game.

Gameplay

This is another fantastic part of the game. Using a racing wheel –not required (regular Xbox 360 controller works too, though not as well in my opinion) but I highly recommend for better control and overall experience–really replicates the true driver feel, the new cockpit view is fantastic (as are the other views too), and the new “Dynamic Crash” system was also put to good use here. Overall, a great racing experience.

Furthermore there’s the new Driver Profile. Kinda like Madden IQ in my opinion, giving you tougher races as you progress through the game, it really was well done and a fun incentive to play: the better, more aggressive/precise  your driving (such as bumping other riders by forcing them out of your way, staying along the green line in front of you and making smooth turns), the more points you get and the faster you increase your Driver Level.

There also is a Career mode, which I found to be just OK. It definitely was fun, but it left a lot to be desired such as more control on the driver, being able to do more things like control sponsorships etc. Overall though, the Career Mode was pretty solid, allowing you to build a nice amount of tricked-out cars to race.

Now here is my biggest gripe with Need for Speed– the load times. This was just annoying. 2 (very long feeling) minutes every time for a race to load is way to much in my opinion, and really hurt the experience. The game still played well once loaded, but still, the wait times are too much.

Wrap-Up

In the end, this is still a great racing game, and one of the best racing games we’ve ever played. From a strict racing point of view, it provides a great experience that with a racing wheel, really gives off a driving in the car experience. Whether you’re a big racing junkie or just someone look for a cool, fun game to play this holiday season, we really recommend Need for Speed Shift.

If it weren’t for the long wait times, and other minor issues like a simple career mode, we would give Need for Speed Shift a perfect 5 out of 5. But even taking those into account, we still really love EA’s next version of this hit series, are going to give it a Very Good 4 out of 5 rating.

We give Need for Speed Shift a very good 4 out of 5 rating.

So there’s our review and we wanna know your thoughts. If you have this game, you like it? Also, what kinda of games are looking to get this holiday season, be it racing or another type? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Need for Speed Shift is out now for the Xbox 360, PS3, PC, and PSP and you can order it now from EA’s site here.

Is this the latest Madden 09 cover?

For those of you who don’t know (or follow football), the Green Bay Packers legendary Quarterback- Brett Farve- is the cover boy of Madden 09, and now the new QB of New York Jets (via a trade last night between the Packers and Jets after a  seemingly endless saga of Favre’s retirement/ un-retirement and general “fight” with the Packers- for those of you who would like to know more on this, check Sports Illustrated). Now this trade of Favre to the Jets last night left a few questions to be answered by EA Sports (makers of the Madden franchise):  1. As the title of this post says: does Favre stay a Packer on the cover, or does a new cover come out with him on the Jets?  2. Are you going to be ready to play with Favre on the Jets right from the launch of Madden? For the answers, hit the More link.

So now let’s get to the answers.

1.  EA Sports said that they will not change the packaging for Madden 09 and repackage and ship everything already prepared  just for a new cover. For those Jets fans out there (or anyone else with the need to have the “perfect” cover on your Madden), EA Sports did say that they will be releasing very soon a free downloadable cover, that you can print and put into the Madden case with Favre in a Jets uniform (I doubt though it will be the picture at the top- that is a pic from the EA simulation of how the teams rumored to get Favre would do with and without him- check it here).

Favre in Jets uniform in Madden 09

2. There WILL be a roster update available at the launch of Madden on Tuesday with all the latest rosters including Favre to the Jets, (former New York Giants Tight End) Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints etc., and you can download that from your copy of Madden 09- as long as you got Internet access from your respective system.

Ok, so theres the latest Madden 09 update. Keep checking  back for more Madden info, as well as what we think of the new game once it fully comes out. What you think- you gonna download this new cover and swap it into your copy of Madden 09 on Tuesday? Let us know in the comments.

Info and top pic from Joystiq.com

Guitar Hero 4 and Rock Band Drums

Well we know that Guitar Hero 3 came out not too long ago, with Rock Band coming out a little after it and really changing the music game style by adding drums and a mic to the package. Today we want to bring you a little info on how Guitar Hero is now going to catch up: the new version of the game, Guitar Hero 4, will have a whole new drum set added. The drum kit at first looks like Rock Band’s, except that it adds cymbols to the top instead of 5 buttons on the drum. This news is great but it still leaves us with a few big questions, and they are: 1. Will it work with Rock Band like the Guitar Hero 3 wireless controller (and will Rock Band work with Guitar Hero 4), and 2. When will this be released and for how much $$$? We’ll keep you posted as we find out more. For more information check out this Joystiq post.