Chris Massey

Last week, Gamestop shoppers who pre-ordered the Legendary bundle of Halo 3 received an [url=http://gamedrift.com/articles.php?a=325]unwelcome message[/url] in their e-mail boxes. As it turns out, the Legendary Edition package of Halo 3 has been given a price boost, and now will cost $129.99 instead of the original $99.99. Along with Gamestop, Microsoft confirmed this on the Xbox [url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0316-halo3editions.htm?WText.camp=TS1-Halo3Editions&WText.campSrc=Home]website[/url]. The Legendary Edition of Halo 3 comes along with the coveted Spartan helmet, as well as bonus content on additional discs, but is it all enough for [i]you[/i] to pay 130 big ones?

Well, Bungie realizes it isn’t for many, and issued an [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?cid=9643]apology[/url] to those who had pre-ordered, expecting it to cost only $99.99 in their weekly update. However, Bungie still stands that the package is worth the newly christened price point, stating collectors will be “pleased with the end result.” Frankie also stresses that non-collectors still have the normal versions and that nobody is pushing the premium edition on them.

Additionally, click the link above to the Xbox website to check out the new images of the box art for both the Legendary Edition and the $69.99 Limited Edition.

Taking a peek onto the Xbox Marketplace, one can now find the demo for the upcoming [i]Virtua Tennis 3[/i] available for download. [i]Virtua Tennis 3[/i] is the first entry of the series on next-gen consoles, and the Xbox 360 version will offer up online tournaments and will also be one of the first games for the system to support native 1080p support. Those who want to get some early training should snag the demo and get to whacking them balls.

[i]Virtua Tennis 3[/i] is due out on March 20 for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Playstation Portable. A PC version is due sometime in the future.

That’s not a mix-up in the heading you just read. After numerous lawsuits made by Jack Thompson (I stopped counting a while back) against what must be the entire Rockstar Games library, the company is finally [url=http://gamepolitics.com/2007/03/16/breaking-take-two-sues-jack-thompson/]striking back[/url] against the infamous lawyer. On Friday, Take Two took pre-emptive measures against Thompson’s recent attempt to try and block the sale of the upcoming [i]Grand Theft Auto IV[/i] and [i]Manhunt 2[/i], declaring the two games public nuisances. Take Two’s suit involves blocking the blockie, essentially pulling a “Thompson” on the man himself.

In their complaint, Take Two asserts that Thompson’s numerous blockades of their games violate the First Amendment of the United States. Take Two claims that Thompson’s attempts to have the state of Florida ban the sale of its games, as well as game produced by other companies have made him “a private attorney general on behalf of the State of Florida.” Take Two is also attempting to retrieve its lawyer and other legal fees brought on by Thompson’s lawsuits.

As you would probably expect, Thompson has responded to Take Two’s suit. In what is almost obsessively compulsive behavior, Thompson writes about showing success in his recent attempt to create a shareholder’s revolt that will result in the termination of Take Two CEO Paul Eibeler.

The gauntlets are on the floor people.

Today, Crave Entertainment [url=http://www.cravegames.com/News/DMBMXC_Wii_announcement.asp]announced[/url] that it would be bringing the bike-tricking Dave Mirra series to Nintendo’s own Wii console. Titled [i]Dave Mirra BMX Challenge[/i], the game will provide an “arcade-like feel,” and feature 12 environments and 13 bikes to choose from. And, of course, the game is said to utilize the unique Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller.

Unfortunately, any Dave Mirra fans out there will be disappointed to hear that [i]BMX Challenge[/i] will not be an original title to the Wii. In fact, the game is already available on the PSP, which ranked in at a meager 40 percent average at [url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/932559.asp?q=Dave%20Mirra]GameRankings[/url]. Set your expectations to low.

Dave Mirra BMX Challenge is set to release sometime in June 2007 for $29.99.

For those who might be getting bored with the multiplayer maps on [i]Lost Planet: Extreme Condition[/i], there’s good news today. Marketplace now lists two new maps available for the snow-covered Capcom hit. Radar Field and Island 902 are now available as one map pack for the price of 400 Microsoft Points (5.00 USD). The two new maps follow through with Capcom’s announcement of new content last month, and gamers can expect another two packs in coming months.

[i]Lost Planet[/i] was released this past January and quickly became one of the best-sellers of the month. You can read our review of [i]Lost Planet: Extreme Condition[/i] [url=http://www.snackbar-games.com/r426.html]here[/url].