video games - "xbox live"

Japan is a very important territory for the video games industry. Although it is smaller than either the USA or Europe, what happens in Asia can affect the rest of the world's markets substantially. Which is why the fact that the Playstation 3 has caught up substantially with the Wii during June is big news. The xbox 360 of course is still trailing far behind, and the life support machine should probably just be turned off now.

This week we take a look at Final Fantasy IV for the DS, Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G for the PSP, Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution for the xbox 360. Also, Homer tries to give you the scoop on some of our E3 plans. Find out if he succeeds!

Our guide to the games you should be excited about.

A new RTS-FPS 'hybrid' game is being created by SouthPeak, we learn today, the company revealing Raven Squad for the PC and xbox 360.

Wall-E is overflowing with charm, but the simple gameplay makes the experience fall flat.

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (PC)No word on when the beta will go live, but current subscribers can now sign up to test the latest WoW expansion.

NASCAR 09 isn't a tremendous step forward for the series, but it's a solid effort.

Microsoft confirms North American street date for Rare's xbox 360-exclusive party favor breeding sim; UK gamers to receive title Sept. 5.

A lesson in arena warfare...With Call of Duty 4 largely humiliating Halo in the xbox live popularity contest, and Frontlines (if it hasn't surrendered already) imminently preparing to hoist the white flag in preparation for Battlefield: Bad Company, you can't help but feel Unreal Tournament 3 has arrived late to a party already at full capacity. And yet... when something turns up in this kind of shape, it's always going to be welcome. Click here to read the full article

We get our first feel of this arcade boxing game's simplified control scheme.