Rockstar Leeds is adding enhancements such as upscaled widescreen graphics, enhanced lighting and animation, and new story missions.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars hits the PlayStation Portable this Fall.

One of the most difficult challenges in gaming is the production of an annual title. Sports titles have the unenviable task of creating a new and fresh experience for gamers, even though they typically have the shortest development cycle. Wrestling games, because of their rabid fan base, are some of the most difficult games to iterate. THQ made the educated decision to listen to what fans were clamoring for: more modes, more wrestlers, and more customization.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 is a game that can be defined as redemption for THQ. In honor of the franchise’s 10th anniversary, THQ has done an amazing job in re-creating the look and more importantly the feel of WWE programming. From the all-new Road to Wrestlemania, (which chronicles seven different wrestlers on their quest for the ultimate pay-per-view), WWE Highlight Reel to the innovative Create-A-Finisher, and the copious amounts of unlockable content, there is almost too much to do in the game.

Play control has stayed faithful to WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008, with some important changes. One of the things added to help make the game more accessible are cues for everything from reversing strikes and grapples to unleashing finishing moves.

Building up the momentum meter is achieved by mixing up attacks, grapples and strikes to gain the crowd’s favor. Once one of the meters has been filled up, you can unleash a signature move or store it. After storing a signature move, you’re free to use it at will, but you can also fill up the meter again to perform a finisher. This balancing act between unleashing signature moves now or saving it for finishing moves adds a little bit more strategy to the matches.

The overall AI is vastly improved over previous years’. The best example of this is evidenced during Tag-Team Matches. Previously, during a single player Tag-Team match, the User would control one player, while the computer would pretty much just stand around, clapping their hands and begging to be tagged in. Tag Team Matches are now high energy, referee distracting, tag-team move performing gems. That’s right folks: Tag-Team Matches are now one of the most entertaining matches to be found in the game.

Road to Wrestlemania is the featured single player mode; seven unique WWE Superstars follow storylines written by actual WWE writers, on their quest for glory at Wrestlemania. There is even a Co-op storyline, featuring Rey Mysterio and Batista, a wrestling game first. Looking at the crowds signs that reference previous matches, the absolutely decadent camera work, as well as the disturbingly accurate light and smoke shows represent a level of authenticity never before seen in a WWE videogame. The announce teams also contribute to the atmosphere; making comments about each storyline, and referring to various events leading up to each match.

Graphically, the Superstars have received the obligatory upgrade in almost every area; most notably in the texture of skin and musculature. No longer will the player models stretch and their arms end up looking strangely contorted; the animation and smoothness overall is quite good, and realistic. Take a look at Ken Kennedy, when he is moving throughout the ring during his entrance. You can clearly see muscles flexing as he moves; even Chris Jericho’s pecs flex as he enters the ring – cool stuff, indeed.

In the ring, the referees are noticeably more physical and animated. I laughed out loud when the ref asked me if I wanted to tap out while Jon Cena had me in a submission hold, just another subtle touch to add to the overall feeling of immersion.

The main addition to the Create-a-Wrestler mode is the ability to create finishing moves. The process is very straightforward. There are ten slots for you to choose and select one of over 500 animations. You can manually adjust the speed of each segment of the move. Once complete, you can then name your finisher, or use one of the pre-selected names to assign. Custom finishers can be assigned to both created wrestlers, as well as any WWE Superstar.

Career mode allows you to use either a created wrestler or WWE Superstar. The goal is simple: go for the gold and try to win every belt in the WWE. During your journey, you will win attribute points to distribute to your wrestler, and build them up to become the next wrestling legend.

The real draw of WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 is that it keeps a nice balance between being insanely fun and addictive in single player, while offering a multitude of depth in multiplayer and creation modes. Someone will always complain that this game doesn’t have this, or that. Well, we didn’t have much when Wrestlemania 2000 came out, and yet it’s still respected as the greatest wrestling game of it’s time. I hope there’s room at the top, because WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 is an instant classic – by paying homage to the Aki developed titles of yesteryear, while incorporating modern technology. WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 is highly recommended and a must buy for any wrestling fan.

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11 – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix(R) interactive entertainment products in North America, announced an updated lineup for the first quarter of 2009 today.

In addition to the previously announced STAR OCEAN(R): Second Evolution(TM) for the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system and STAR OCEAN: THE LAST HOPE(TM) for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Square Enix revealed that both the remade classic, DRAGON QUEST(R) V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride(TM), and the latest entry in the VALKYRIE PROFILE(R) series, VALKYRIE PROFILE: Covenant of the Plume(TM), will be primed and ready for Nintendo DS(TM) owners come 2009.

The countdown begins today for the first offerings of an exciting new year!

STAR OCEAN: Second Evolution
Developer: SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platform: PSP system
Genre: RPG
ESRB: T (Teen)
Ship Date: January 6, 2009

Following the exploits of humankind’s journey across the stars, the STAR OCEAN saga comes to life in the completely remastered STAR OCEAN: Second Evolution, exclusively for the PSP system. Now with a revised game engine, an improved battle system and fully voiced, all-new animated scenes displayed in 16:9 widescreen, players can experience their journey through the rich STAR OCEAN universe like never before.

The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/starocean/.

DRAGON QUEST V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
Scenario & Game Design: Yuji Horii
Character Design: Akira Toriyama
Music Composer: Koichi Sugiyama
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Developer: ArtePiazza
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: RPG
ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10 and older)
Ship Date: February 17, 2009

Never before released in North America, this entry in the Zenithia Trilogy follows a journey that transcends three generations. Travel alongside your father on his quest to see the world, grow to set forth on a journey of your own and face life-altering decisions as you continue your family’s legacy. DRAGON QUEST V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride makes its way to Nintendo DS on February 17, 2009.

The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/zenithia/.

STAR OCEAN: THE LAST HOPE
Developer: tri-Ace Inc.
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: RPG
ESRB: Not Yet Rated
Ship Date: March 3, 2009

STAR OCEAN: THE LAST HOPE is the latest entry in the futuristic STAR OCEAN series of RPGs. Science fiction and fantasy meld in this long-awaited continuation of the celebrated franchise from developer tri-Ace Inc.

The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/starocean/.

VALKYRIE PROFILE: Covenant of the Plume
Developer: tri-Ace Inc.
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: RPG
ESRB: Not Yet Rated
Ship Date: March 17, 2009

Destiny by sinner sought. Tragedy by power wrought. The origins of a cult classic are revealed in VALKYRIE PROFILE: Covenant of the Plume, the third entry in the critically acclaimed VALKYRIE PROFILE series. Development studio tri-Ace returns to craft a gameplay experience that boasts a captivating storyline with ties to Norse mythology and a familiar yet refreshing battle system enhanced with deeper strategic elements. VALKYRIE PROFILE: Covenant of the Plume marks the debut of the series on Nintendo DS with its arrival on March 17, 2009.

“The success of Carnival Games is proof that the casual game market continues to grow,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “We are actively working to expand the 2K Play label and are committed to producing fun, quality games for the mass market with the Carnival Games franchise paving the way.”

“The consumer response to Carnival Games has been extraordinary,” said Steve Lux, vice president of business development for 2K Play. “The game resonates with every demographic and the feedback we have received from moms, dads, kids and grandparents shows Carnival Games as one of the drivers of family game time. Our new games build on the strength of the first title and will promote this growing trend.”

Carnival Games for DS brings the fun of the original to the world’s best-selling portable system during the summer vacation and travel season. Each game is designed from the ground up to take full advantage of the DS control mechanism. A frenzied combination of tapping, blowing, speaking and stylus maneuvering brings the now famous midway to life. Favorites such as Alley Ball, Frog Leap and Dunk Tank are complemented with fresh games including RC Raceway and Clown Hammer.

This fall, the all-new Carnival Games: Mini-Golf comes exclusively to Wii. Featuring Carnival Bob™ and characters made popular in the original, Carnival Games: Mini-Golf is home to larger-than-life, theme park style miniature golf courses. Whether back in time to the land of dinosaurs, keeping order in the Wild West or searching for treasure on an island full of pirates, the game combines traditional miniature golf fare with action-oriented game play utilizing the unique capabilities of the Wii Remote™. It is designed for four players and can best be described as “a hole in fun.”

“We work hand-in-hand with Nintendo on the design of our Carnival Games titles to make sure they deliver the best-possible gaming experience for their consoles,” said Harley Howe and Patrick Wilkinson, studio heads of 2K Play’s Cat Daddy Games. “These new titles in our growing Carnival Games franchise are fun, have true-to-life physics and deliver on the promise of the original: you can almost smell the cotton candy.”