Square Enix announced today that it will release Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales for the Nintendo DS on April 3. Now, before you get all excited, and are expecting another story driven role-playing extravaganza, it needs to be said that this game is rather a cutesy mini and microgame-focused collection centered on the company’s favorite giant chicken. Quah!

“The chocobos and all their friends are going to explode onto the Nintendo DS,” said Executive Producer Shinji Hashimoto. “Since the game contains references to the series going back as far as Final Fantasy, I am confident that fans of both Final Fantasy and Nintendo alike will enjoy this exciting title.”

True story. I was at CompUSA this weekend, and saw a lady pick up Christian-themed game developer Left Behind Games’ flagship PC title Left Behind: Eternal Forces, flip it over, and put it back on the shelf in disgust, grumbling irritably that it wasn’t the books but rather some “stupid game.”

That may be funny, but it is also telling, because the company announced today a third quarter loss of $4.1 million, up from last year’s $934,000 loss. That’s an astounding amount by any measure, but considering that Left Behind’s sole source of revenue was this RTS that has been generally panned by critics and ignored by its only potential user base means that things are not looking particularly rosy right now for the company.

Sales revenue for the game was $1,202,090, and company CEO Troy Lyndon noted that Left Behind is looking into other sales distribution channels for future titles “to include more Christian bookstores, ministry sponsorships, church outreaches, Christian conferences, LAN center licensing, viral online and Internet sales, music concerts and trial versions. We look forward to a very prosperous year.”

Left Behind’s next game is expected in September.

Sega’s seminal fighting series Virtua Fighter has landed on the PlayStation 3, offering hard core arcade fighting fans all of the clutching, grabbing, and mid-air hang time they could want, all from the comfort of their couches. Virtua Fighter 5 features two new fighters, new offensive moves, customizable characters, and even a commentary feature, all in eye-melting HD.

I guess it must be good. Heck, EGM called it “the finest 3D fighting game ever created.” I dunno, I’m more of a Guilty Gear man myself.

THQ has confirmed that it will release Tetris Evolution for the Xbox 360 in March. While perhaps better suited as a download over Xblx Live Arcade, the fact that the series has to date sold more than 70 million units worldwide across more than 30 game systems since its first release in 1985 leads me to believe that it will likely find its way into some measure of homes next month.

According to THQ, the game will feature new gameplay modes, multiple customizations, as well as Xbox Live capabilities on top of the always fun (and manic) dropping of blocks. New modes in Tetris Evolution will include “Go Low” and “Eraser” for both single and multiplayer. In addition, the multiplayer mode will not only allow for up to four players on a single console, but also support up to four players via the Xbox Live.

Developers have also seen fit to include a new intelligent matchmaking system, which pits players against others within their skill level, as well as the online ladder system, which will enable players to track their overall skill level and accumulate Xbox Live achievement points to increase their Gamerscore. The game will also feature customizable themes, skins, icons and soundtracks to create a personalized gaming experience.

The game sure has come a long way since its green and black days on the Game Boy.