Link: http://shingakunet.com/school/9000226898/9000283703/special/

It's been a long time since we've spotlighted one of these - but they're addictive and always fun - go waste some time with Grow Valley.

Link: http://forums.atari.com/showthread.php?t=6853

I had a ball playing #3 and have great hopes for 4.. if you have suggestions for Atari head on over to their forums and put your 2 cents in.

Link: http://armorgames.com/play/4964/penguin-massacre

If you feel the need today to vent some frustrations or waste a good bit of time - try this game out. You
re the lone penguin gunman on a hill. The game is loaded with powerups and goodies you can buy.

Link: http://www.bluesnews.com/s/113221/might-magic-heroes-vi-announced

I loved this series since #1 - my kid loves it too. Thankfully the mystical themed turn based game continues with a new installment.

Ubisoft follows the revelation of plans to continue the Heroes of Might & Magic series with the official announcement of plans for Might & Magic Heroes VI, the coming installment in the series that alters its naming convention. The game is in development at Black Hole Entertainment (Armies of Exigo, Mark of Chaos Battle March) for release on Windows PCs in 2011, and they say it "will include all the characters and features that have made this brand a worldwide success, in addition to a wealth of new innovations."

Trailer is pretty spiffy too

The insanity continues - be aware of strong language.

Link: http://www.geek.com/articles/games/id-software-sets-rage-release-date-20100814/

Rage, id Software’s first game using its new id Tech 5 engine, will hit store shelves on September 13 2011 in the U.S

First off, I don't know much about the title but the few screenshots sure look awesome and since when had ID put out a bad game? Not only do we have this title to look forward to but all the other titles that will use the new Id Tech 5 engine. Expect a busy fall gaming season next year.

Link: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=259637

Sony Ericcson is working on a phone using Google's Android platform for release this year.

The exciting bit is that the phone will apparently include side-slider gaming controls instead of a QWERTY keyboard.

"The D-pad is here, but instead of the small joystick, the device will have what was described as a 'long touch pad' for analog controls, along with standard PSP buttons and shoulder buttons," according to Engadget.

Also attributed to the phone is a large display, between 3.7 and 4.1 inches with WVGA or better resolution, a 5 megapixel camera and a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU is "likely".

The phone is mostly black with some silver highlights, and the gamepad area is white / silver in color, claims the source.

Could it be true? Time will tell I guess, but the real deal here is will anyone want one?

Link: http://www.physorg.com/news200736010.html

Ah, the good old days, Atari has been through an awful lot as a company and has a plan for the future. But will it work?

In the next few months, Atari will roll out a major online initiative with updated versions of old favorites such as "Missile Command" and "Centipede" that can be downloaded or played on social networks like Facebook.

It's also building out a licensing program that includes not just consumer products but also movies based on its classic games. Two are already in development at different studios.

Prepare your self for Dig Dug 3D !

Link: http://www.1up.com/news/quake-live-concludes-beta-bethesda?cmpid=0101

And it still is free to play but they now offer some paid tiers as well.

Bethesda will continue to offer a free-to-play version, but they're also adding in Premium and Pro subscriptions. Perks for subscribers include exclusive maps, new game modes and other bonuses.

The Premium Subscription will be available for $1.99 per month, and will feature 20 maps, a "Freeze Tag" game mode and match statistics that can be stored for up to six months.

Two more dollars per month will net subscribers the ability to start their own server and the ability to invite standard players to a premium map. Both Pro the and Premium tiers will feature exclusive rewards.

Link: http://kotaku.com/5609770/rumor-borderlands-studio-reviving-duke-nukem-forever

The saga that never ends gets an update - and I'd say this is a plausible one. I know Take Two still owns the Publishing rights, and it isn't out of the question they gave the code to Borderlands. It isn't even out of the question that George Broussard is on board with the deal.

So cross your fingers!

One source indicated that a playable demo of Duke Nukem Forever will be available later this year.

Link: http://www.codemystics.com/halo2600/

What would Halo play like on the Atari 2600? Probably exactly like this.

Link: http://www.ponged.com/adventuregames/deepdiver-5484

This game is addicting and fun enough to steal a few hours out of your day - you have been warned.

Link: http://militantplatypus.com/games/gamepage.php?game=freeway%20fury

How about a little mayhem on the roads for a diversion today? smash other cars, carjack new ones when you break yours.

Link: http://worthplaying.com/article/2010/7/29/news/75862/

There's a new party game coming out for the Wii with a twist...

Oops! Prank Party features 100 party games that test the wits and reflexes of up to four players. The uproarious twist is a variety of family-friendly pranks that allow the winner to taunt the competition, bringing a whole new level of hilarity to the gameplay!

I'm thinking of adding this one to my multiplayer fun collection.

Link: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/21015/friday-fun-onslaught-shooter/

The How To Geek dug up another fine Friday time killer for you....

Now go ahead and save the world!

Link: http://www.freewebarcade.com/game/sunny-boom/

Like the name implies - your job is to make the sun go boom, ushering in night time.

Link: http://mashable.com/2010/07/10/google-games-zynga/

What can we expect from this ? Googleville?

Google is reportedly partnering with FarmVille and Mafia Wars game-maker Zynga to launch a hub where you’ll be able to play social online games.

The source of the rumor is the tech blog TechCrunch, which claims to have confirmed the story with multiple sources. The search giant has allegedly invested between 100 and 200 million dollars in the massive game company, which already sits with Google (Google) in the small club of web companies that are valued at much more than $1 billion.

Link: http://theepicsandbox.com/press/blog/2010/07/12/spore-sequel-exposed-darkspore/

If you're feeling like you want to continue the Spore experience there is good news for you today.

Turns out some information has leaked ahead of ComicCon regarding EA and Maxis big reveal. The followup to Spore, a new game described as “Sci-Fi Action-RPG based on the DNA of Spore,” seems to take the game in a more combat direction. Following EA’s registration of Darkspore.com

Link: http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/706099/Game-Development-Toolset-Stencyl-Making-The-Big-Leap-Towards-Flash.html

It's one thing to say "hey, world, I could make a kick ass video game" and quite another to actually go and make the thing. The biggest obstacle remains the technical barrier to entry, as games require extensive coding knowledge, the ability to draw things better than stick figures (most of the time, anyway) and other bases of knowledge that can't be learned overnight. The web-based Stencyl is one of many companies who attempts to make that easier for the amateur developer, and the company recently told us about a slew of improvements coming to Stencyl, including support for Flash.

Link: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/national/ltp/games/moonbasealpha/index.html

There's no shortage of free multiplayer fun this week - Nasa's new game is free for the moment and aims to test out their upcoming MMOG ...

According to NASA, with Moonbase Alpha, players assume the role or roles of an astronaut working to further human expansion and research. Returning from a research expedition, players witness a meteorite impact that cripples the life support capability of the settlement. With precious minutes ticking away, you and your team must repair and replace equipment in order to restore the oxygen production to the settlement, NASA stated.

Team coordination along with the proper use and allocation of your available player controlled robots, rovers, repair tools, and the like, are key to success. There are several ways in which players can successfully restore the life support system of the lunar base, but since players are scored on the time spent to complete the task, they have to work effectively as a team, learn from decisions made in previous gaming sessions, and make intelligence decisions in order to win.

NASA said it released the game on Valve's Steam network.

Link: http://assault.cubers.net/

This is awesome - and it works on plenty old hardware too ....

Features in a nut-shell:

* It's FREE.
* Open source, available under a zlib-like open source license.
* Low latency, it can even run across a 56Kbps connection!
* Light-weight size, only 40MB to download, plus additional maps average 20KB each!
* With the correct settings, it can run on old hardware (Pentium III and above).
* Officially runs on most major systems, and maybe even some non-major ones?
* Has a built in, in-game map editor to help players create their own maps and allows for
co-operative editmode in realtime with others!
* Features a single-player bot system.
* Supports recording of your game by the "demo" system.
* Contains 12 multiplayer game modes, including: Deathmatch, Survivor, Capture the Flag, Hunt the Flag, Keep the Flag, Pistol Frenzy, Last Swiss Standing & One-Shot One-Kill (plus team versions of these modes).
* Comes pre-packaged with 19 different maps!

Link: http://www.seekvideogames.com/Action-Games/Nanaca-Crash-New-Version-V1.08.html

The object of the game is to launch people as far as you can - full of specials and bonuses.

Upon starting a new game, press and hold the mouse button to select a launch angle, and then release it to select launch power. During the game, if "AERIAL" lights up blue or red in the top left hand corner, you can perform an "AERIAL CRASH" by clicking the mouse.

Link: http://www.ghacks.net/2010/07/07/schedule-web-page-visits-in-firefox-with-morning-coffee/

Some of you might find this program useful, basically it opens websites for you on certain days, or every day or any combination in between.

It can be configured to open specific websites on a specific day of the week. Websites can be added to specific weekdays or to the every day category which ensures that they are opened on every day of the week.

Morning Coffee offers two advantages over the manual approach. The first is that it can be configured to open sites that update on a regular schedule, like weekly columns on newspaper sites, updated web comics or any other kind of information or services that are posted on a schedule.

Link: http://www.freewebarcade.com/game/conquer-antarctica/

What with all the stupid heat lately I figured it would be refreshing to play a game with a cool theme..

Command your penguin squad in order to gain power over the Antarctica ice territory. You have to eliminate all the enemy penguins in each level to advance with your campaign. Use your mouse to aim and fire.

Link: http://www.gamesforwork.com/games/play-15502-Firecracker_Frenzy-Flash_Game

cool match the colors exploder...

Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/7760/

I remember seeing one of my work mates play this back in the day and it looked awesome. It's arguably one of the best games of all time and now you can be all retro and play it in style for cheap.

Link: http://www.candystand.com/play/mini-golf#

If you can get past the ad, and the large loading time - this mini golf game is pretty cool - the first level starts you off mini golfing through a bowling lane and it gets more interesting from there.

Link: http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-2010-man-vs-wild/700857

After seeing the trailer I;d ask - what the heck were they thinking? Games don't get much more lame than this one.

Link: http://www.playedonline.com/game/598506/doodle-god.html

This is an interesting time waster - you create things (no you don't draw) - I thought I'd get bored of it but it's addicting.

Link: http://www.ponged.com/actiongames/spacedisposal-5359

How'd you like to do your part to clean up space and destroy stuff? - use the arrows, ASWD , or mouse to do the dirty work.

Link: http://games.slashdot.org/story/10/06/17/0430225/Nintendo-3DS-Early-Impressions

I have to admit - I've seen Nintendo blow 3D before so I thought this would be a flop - apparently I was way wrong.

Wired writes, "The graphics, which are much more advanced than you’d expect from Nintendo, left me pretty much in disbelief. They're on a level with Sony’s PSP, probably even a little better than that. But the eye-popping 3-D effect makes everything that much richer." According to the Guardian's Games blog, it works "beautifully." They add, "You can perceive 3D only if the console is directly in front of you, but this is fine for handheld gaming. I actually found it pretty adaptable in terms of viewing from different vertical positions.

Here ya go - time for you Portal fans to get all excited about cake again.

Link: http://www.nextdimension.org/bmrf/Black_Mesa_Research_Facility_HL_Map.jpg

Ever wonder why Half Life was so confusing? Check out this full map of the Black Mesa facility and you'll understand.

Link: http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/06/dreamcast-xbox-live/

Missing Sonic or Crazy Taxi on the DC? Help is on the way - starting with these two titles and moving on to more. The titles will be updated with HD video and surround sound too!

Sega said today that it would bring hit games from its Dreamcast console to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 as downloadable titles. Sega will release the first game, Sonic Adventure, this fall. Crazy Taxi will follow it.

Dreamcast was Sega’s final game console, which it released in the U.S. on September 9, 1999. Although it had several high-quality games, it was faced with unbeatable competition in the form of the PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox. Sega stopped producing Dreamcast hardware in March 2001.