Hey everyone. This is the start of a new feature for Master Control Program, where every week we’ll take a look at the upcoming releases. Hope you enjoy it, and fling any questions or comments you’ve got my way. I’ll read’m all!

Monday, December 17th, 2007

 MX vs. ATV Untamed (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, DS)
Buy it from CHUD here!

What started this horrific rivalry that’s claimed countless lives and dreams? If only one could put their minds around the horror! In years past this match-up has been Unleashed and even On The Edge, but now it’s…. UNTAMED. (read that like the "Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!" voice guy and it’s a lot funnier)

But yeah, this is another in a long line of racing games that I couldn’t care less about, but if you like that sort of thing it’s coming out for every system short of the Commodore 64 and the Wii.

 Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command (DS)
Buy it from CHUD here!

Nerds! Here you go… put down your painted figurines and pick up your stylus. Warhammer hits the DS with a 3d strategy game with both a story mode and 2-8 player online multiplayer.

This game’s been out for the PSP for a month or so now and has gotten an above average response, so if you’re looking for a new turn-based strategy game to play around with (with Orcs!), here you go.

Tuesday, December 18th, 2007

 Rock Band (PS2)
Buy it from CHUD here!

Rock Band finally hits the PS2, for all you suckers that haven’t yet upgraded. Only thing is that this? It’s the dvd only- the special edition boxset with the drums and mic will be hitting the 28th. If you haven’t played the game yet, you’re in for a treat. It’s by far the best party game ever made. The problems with this version is that it won’t be able to be played online, and there’s no downloadable content. That first one isn’t really much of an issue (as long as you have friends, that is) but the lack of DLC hurts, bad. I have the feeling I’ll be playing Rock Band until well into next year as long as the new songs keep coming, but know that a few weeks of intense jam sessions will get you sick of most of the songs in this game.


 NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (WII)
Buy it from CHUD here!

Finally! If you missed out on the Sega Saturn, you never experienced some incredible games like Dragon Force, Guardian Heroes, Panzer Dragoon Saga, and of course, NiGHTS: Into Dreams. It’s a weird, floaty 2.5d game that was fun as hell to just fly around. The sequel looks to be a perfect fit for the Wii, but I can’t imagine people getting too excited about this one, simply because it’s still relatively unknown. It’s getting very decent scores, though, so this one looks like the next one for you to plug your Wii back into the wall for.

 Atari Classics Evolved (PSP)
Buy it from CHUD here!

Yeah, this is another compilation of Atari games. This set includes Asteroids, Asteroids Deluxe, Battlezone, Centipede, Lunar Lander, Millipede, and 50 more games. 11 of them will have "Evolved" redesigns, with fancy new graphics and sound. The longer arcade games will have you holding the PSP sideways, which is interesting. Also it’s only 20 clams for the set, which definitely ain’t bad, but how many people haven’t owned these games sometime before?

 Luxor: Pharaoh’s Challenge (DS, PSP)
Buy it from CHUD here!

If you’ve played Zuma, you’ve played Luxor. I know most gamers like to hate on casual games, but both of these Popcap titles are excellent time wasters, and the portable platform is the perfect one for quick games like these… as long as no one sees you playing them on the subway, of course. The DS is 10 dollars more than the PSP, defying all reason, and don’t forget it’s still available online if you need a break from your girlfriend for a while.

 Legends of Norrath: Forsworn (PC)
Buy it from their dorky site here!

"Legends of Norrath: Forsworn is an expansion pack for Legends of Norrath: Oathbound, the Everquest online trading card game."

I’m stunned. I didn’t even know there was an Everquest online trading card game. I didn’t know people even played Everquest anymore! The scary things you learn on your travels around the internet…


Wednesday, December 19th, 2007

 Indianapolis 500 Legends (Wii, DS)
Buy it from CHUD here!

If you’re an Indy 500 fan, here’s your chance to relive some classic races (between 1961 and 1971) while wagging a video game controller around in the air.

We all know the Wii can’t handle too much, but who knows, it might be fun to play. Also, the DS doesn’t really have the power or the graphics capabilities to make any kind of an exciting racer, so it’d be a pretty big deal if they did. Don’t you have a better console game to play?


Downloads for the week!

(Here’s where I’ll list all the upcoming downloadable games for your gaming systems)

Monday’s Virtual Console titles


Monster Lair (TG-16)

Another Hudson Soft (Bonk!) game, where you control a kid with crazy-colored hair and fight enemies with swords and fruit. Half the levels are platforming levels and the other half are shooters, where you ride a dragon around and fight a giant boss.

Cybernator (SNES) –

A run n’ gun shooter that wasn’t anything too fantastic back in the day. It’s got everything one needs, big bosses, powerups for you gun, and character designs by a hentai artist. Wait, what?

Alien Storm (Genesis) –

This game rocks, but unfortunately this is the Genesis game and not the superior Arcade versison. Imagine Golden Axe with aliens and you’ve got this one.

Wednesday’s Xbox Live Arcade titles


Sensible World of Soccer –

The game was originally released on the Amiga in 1994. but this version’s based on a 96/97 version, considered one of the best of them all. Like most live game it’ll have a new version with HD graphics, revamped audio, online play and leaderboards. Looks like a fun enough game.

Tempest –

Yet another update of a gaming classic, containing both the original emulation and the spiffy new next-genified version. Hopefully it’ll be better than Space Giraffe, which was considered an unofficial sequel.