The PSN Update- The Skyping Dead edition

Much like other download services this week, the first episode of The Walking Dead takes the feature spot on the PSN.

Why is Deadlight set in the 1980's anyway?

The latest developer diary about Tequila Works' stylish new zombie apocalypse game, Deadlight, explains the setting and the unique play elements it provides.

Awesomenauts ready to get awesome

With the release of Awesomenauts on the PSN and Xbox Live rapidly approaching (next Monday and Tuesday respectively) the new launch trailer is all set to show you how to get... awesome.

It's a monster week on the Xbox Live Update

Not one, not two, but three big games hit the Xbox Live Arcade this week along with a couple of big time demos and a special NBA playoff's Deal of the Week.

Risen 2 sets sail on PC

The Risen sequel, Risen 2: Dark Waters, is all set to storm the shores of your PC today with swashbuckling a plenty.

Is EA up for acquisition? Let's consider the possibilities!

An interesting report over at GamesIndustry.biz suggests that EA, which has been trigger happy with the actions, might itself be up for acqusition shortly.

Like writing about games? We want you!

We make one of these every couple of months at the moment, but we’re growing fast, and we need more writers!

Retail 3DS and Wii U titles to be downloadable, New Super Mario Bros. 2 leads the march

The 3DS eShop has a handful of unique titles, but it lacks any retail games at the moment. That's all going to change this August, as Nintendo announced plans for New Super Mario Bros. 2 to hit the eShop service as soon as it launches in physical form.

What's the best part of the news for digital fans? New Super Mario Bros. 2 won't be the only title to receive this treatment. 

"As I said earlier today, we announced during the latest Nintendo Direct that the completely new 2D Mario game, “New Super Mario Bros. 2,” will be launched in August this year.  

With this software, we will initiate the so-called digital download sales, or the digital distribution of packaged software, in addition to the sales of packaged software through the existing distribution channels. In principle, starting from this software, the company will offer the software titles that Nintendo itself publishes in both packaged and digital download formats so that our consumers can choose the way to purchase them."

In addition to 3DS releases, Wii U games will be digitally downloadable from as soon the console launches this holiday season. 

For the Wii U, we will start the digital download sales of packaged software that I just discussed, so our consumers can choose either the packaged version or the digital download version of the same software from day one of the Wii U’s launch.

In other eShop news, two new Pokemon applications will be available around the launch period of Pokemon Black 2 and White 2; Pokémon AR Searcher and Pokémon Zenkokuzukan Pro (Japanese titles). 

Yes, Nintendo should be making smartphone and tablet games

It’s happened again: an analyst has come out and questioned why Nintendo is not involving itself in the smartphone space. That comment was in response to Nintendo’s year-end financial loss, which was a first for the company, and predictably the Nintendo community is up in arms over the comment.

Nintendo's loss not as bad as expected

Nintendo was always going to post a loss this financial year. The good news is it's nowhere near as bad as expected, thanks to a remarkable uplift in 3DS sales, especially in Japan.

The Nintendo Download- it's system update time

Yes the promised system update that will add 'folders' to Nintendo's 3D portable has hit, and it's brought an interesting little item with it- a Virtual Console title.

Want to spy on 007?

Have you ever wanted to live the life of an undercover agent for the crown? The action, the intrigue, the social media... wait, what?

Review: The Splatters (Xbox 360)

The Splatters is what happens when you take Angry Birds, and flesh it out into a more “true” console game experience. It’s a whole lot of fun, but like many of those that have tried to take the Angry Birds clone, it’s hard to shake the feeling that it just falls short of recapturing the magic.

A mind-blowing piece on the failings of Kickstarter

It's not often that I create a post on Digitally Downloaded for the sole purpose of linking folks to another Website's article (in fact, this is the first time I've done this), but I consider the following story essential reading for anyone who is interested in the games industry:

Silent Hill- extreme home makeover edition

Konami today announced a pair of patches for the current duo of Silent Hill titles on the market- Downpour and the HD Collection.

Review: Men of War: Condemned Heroes (PC)

Only three things are certain in this life: death, taxes, and the release of a new Men of War every few months or so. Condemned Heroes is the fifth title in the series and, if you've played any of the earlier games, you'll know exactly what to expect. Interesting, Russian-influenced scenarios? Check. Massive, chaotic battlefields? Present and correct. Punishing difficulty tempered with moments of brilliance? Sir, yes sir.

Skype away on your PlayStation Vita

Sony is determined to have the PlayStation Vita be somewhat more than just a handheld gaming device and rather be a general entertainment unit.

Screenshots: Game of Thrones RPG

Focus Home Interactive has released five new screens from its upcoming Game of Thrones RPG. This Dragon Age-themed action RPG is looking good indeed.

Nintendo launches Nintendo Zone in Europe; updates firmware on 3DS

Nintendo has launched a new marketing service in Europe to help gamers keep up to date with their 3DS goings on.

Review: Marvel Vs Capcom 2 (iPad)

There’s two game genres that are always going to be a challenge to recreate without physical buttons: the FPS and the fighting game. There’s been a couple of good examples of each (see Soul Calibur as a prime example of a good fighting game on the iPad), but unfortunately despite an effort in touchscreen optimisation Marvel vs Capcom 2 is not one of those.

Review: Red Invasion: Tower Defense (XBLIG)

Xbox indie champ Milkstone Studios takes a shot at tower defense with one of its newest offerings. Does the developer score again, or might it be time to shut down the grid?

This Walking Dead launch trailer is tasty

Fans of the TV show and comic book more than likely have one thing in common- they've all been waiting to sink their teeth into the official game from Telltale.

The 2012 apocalypse comes in the form of a puzzle game

The Lightfall Codex (debuting on iOS today) is all about "Mayan-themed puzzle madness".

Trailer: Might & Magic Duel of Champions to take on Magic the Gathering for CCG domination

Uh oh. This is going to be a time sink and a half. Ubisoft is releasing a digital CCG for PC and iPad based on its awesome Might & Magic universe.

Horse around with Ubisoft's new Facebook game, Horse Haven

Ubisoft seems to have a thing about horses. Last year it acquired the developer behind the very popular Howrse brand, and now it has released a Facebook game that's all about man's real best friend.

Arkham City expands with Harley Quinn DLC

Batman Arkham City was easily one of the best superhero titles of... well, pretty much ever. Now the game's getting a Game of the Year edition and some very cool 'sold separately' DLC.

Max Payne 3 digital bonuses unveiled

Getting ready to download Max Payne 3 in a few weeks? Here's what you can expect in the way of retailer bonuses with some system specs thrown in.

Eight really great games that will make you feel dirty

Credit to the Japanese developers, they know how to make the kind of game normal people wouldn’t be caught playing in public. And to make matters worse, they know how to make some really, really good games that normal people wouldn’t be caught playing in public. Games that require a real push to get through the less pleasant moments, but once you get the games themselves prove to be very rewarding.

Thanks to the likes of NIS America, we’ve had the opportunity to play more of these games this generation than perhaps ever before. It seems there is a small market of gamers willing to overlook the more “otaku” elements to enjoy games that the Japanese have been enjoying en masse for years. Getting into them can be a challenge, though, so with that in mind, here’s some of the games we think deserve the perseverance to get past the often distasteful exterior.

Review: Total War Battles: Shogun (iPad)

Total War would be a series that would make the move to the iPad perfectly. It’s a strategy game series, after all, and we’ve already seen that genre work very well on Apple’s platform – after all, these games don’t really need buttons.

Review: Fez (Xbox 360)

So. Phil Fish, yes? The man that tore the Japanese games industry to shreds has released Fez, a game that won awards before it was even released. There’s a lot of discussion about Fish’s antics that have in some ways distracted people away from the game of Fez itself, but I’m going to weigh in here and say Fish is in no position whatsoever to criticise the Japanese industry.

Call of Duty: The hype train kicks off; May 1 announcement

Call of Duty fans (yes, there are a lot of you) will be tuning into the NBA playoffs over in the US on May 1. Not for the basketball or anything, because that's when Activision will announce the next game in the world's biggest game series.

Review: Sketch Nation Studio (iPad)

User generated content is not a new concept in videogames, but it’s something that has remained popular for a while now, with Little Big Planet obviously being the one all aspire to.

3DS system update, New Super Mario title inbound

The new system update for the Nintendo 3DS was just one of the big announcements made this week from the company.