In an announcement that is sure to please Battlefield fans like myself who have been craving for new content, the next VIP Map Pack, VIP Map Pack 7, for Bad Company 2 will feature four entirely new maps, rather than the unlocked modes disguised as new maps that we have been “treated” to in the past.

Not all of them are completely new however: reworked versions of fan favourites Oasis and Harvest Day are making a return from the original Bad Company game.

Read on for full details.

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Gaijin Games’ awesome Wii-Ware title, Bit.Trip Beat, recently made its way to the iPhone. The pong-inspired retro-rhythm title also made moves this morning. As of 9AM PST this morning, Bit.Trip Beat has also been available for PC and Mac via Steam.

Hit the jump for more information including Beat’s sale and the Steam version’s added features.

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We have experienced that sensation of regret after trying out a new game for the first time. Luckily, there are plenty of options to return or sell back these stinkers. However, as we move towards a future where physical media no longer exists, our options to combat buyer’s remorse are fading away. Demos attempt to solve these issues, giving gamers a taste of the action before they throw down their hard earned cash. It even gives developers and publishers an opportunity to draw in an audience that might not have been aware or interested in their title.

Yet, Nintendo’s Wii-Ware service has been largely devoid of demos – in a frustrating contrast to all of its competitors. For a brief time Wii owners could enjoy snippets of titles like World of Goo and Bit.Trip Beat, but the idea was scrapped before it even really found its legs. Luckily, Nintendo is bringing demos back to the console.

Hit the jump for the titles you’ll be able to try this Friday.

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It’s November everybody… Why not start the month off right with some downloadable Nintendo games? Hit the jump for this week’s releases.

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Halloween is just a few days away and, of course,  Valve has release a game update to Team Fortress 2 celebrating this spooky season. Dubbed the “Second Annu-Hell Scream Fortress Hauntedead Halloween Special,” the update brings a whole slew of new content including a new map, masks, hats, special items, achievements, and an AI controlled Horseless Headless Horseman Boss.

All this new content revolves around the new map: CP_Mann Manor. This new attack/defend map features exploding pumpkins, spooky decorations, a randomly spawning Haunted Halloween Gift and the aforementioned Horseless Headless Horseman. Apparently, the Horseman will randomly spawn on control points to chase which ever player is closest. If the Horseman is tailing you, just melee an enemy player to pass off the curse. If you successfully defeat the Horseman, you will receive special “Unusual Haunted Metal Scrap” that allows you to craft the Halloween themed items. Read more… »

Bit.Trip FATE! Bit.Trip FATE is here! The fifth entry into Gaijin Games’ impressive Wii-Ware series is now ready and available for download on your Wii console.

Hit the jump for the rest of this week’s downloadable titles.

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The latest trailer for EA’s upcoming DLC expansion Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam not only contains high-octane gameplay footage of the game in action, but also reveals the pricing details.

According to the trailer, Vietnam will retail for $14.99 /1200 MS Points, which doesn’t sound too dissimilar to last year’s Battlefield: 1943. In a similar vein, the DLC will include four new maps along with four new vehicles and 15 weapons that compliment the new era.

A precise release date has yet to be disclosed however, as the trailer still points to a winter 2010 date for deployment.

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A mammoth update this week, thanks largely to the arrival of a spikey blue hedgehog. Yes that’s right, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is now available to download and has already been touted as a belated return to form.

Elsewhere, there’s an enticing playable demo of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II and a trial and unlock for Dead Space Ignition to complete the sci-fi theme, along with new DLC for WRC, Split/Second and Moto GP for racing fanatics.

The rest of this week’s update can be found after the break.

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This is a big week for Nintendo’s downloadable services. Not only is the first episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 now available on Wii-Ware, but Ivy the Kiwi? is also making its way to DSi-Ware.  So turn on that Wii and DSi and get downloading!

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A rather tepid shower of offerings this week on PSN: Ferrari: The Race Experience is the only new PSN game and the playable demos are equally barren with just DJ Hero 2 on offer.

Elsewhere, there are at least a slew of tempting special offers, including a deduction on the ridiculously priced Modern Warfare 2 DLC and a new batch of PlayStation Plus content is also available to subscribers for this month.

Hit the jump for a full list of this week’s updates.

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It’s long been known for some time that Polyphony Digital managed to secure a deal with the popular BBC motoring show Top Gear for Gran Turismo 5 that will bring full episodes and the iconic Top Gear test rack into the game. Not wanting to feel left out, Turn 10 has now also struck a deal with the BBC to release exclusive Top Gear content for Forza Motorsport 3.

As a result, a re-release of the game entitled Forza Motorsport 3: Ultimate Collection has been announced for release in October and will include all of the previously released DLC (which will bring the total car count to over 500), along with exclusive Top Gear DLC consisting of the “Stig’s Garage Car Park,” a 90 minute video and a Top Gear Xbox Live Theme.

Hit the jump for full details.

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There’s little to be complaining about this week on PSN. The star of the show has to go to Lara Croft, as The Guardian of Light has finally been ridden of its 360 exclusivity binds, available as both a full game and trial and unlock sample.

Elsewhere, a further collection of demos awaits including My Sims: Sky Heroes and the new WRC FIA World Rally Championship, along with a strong dose of DLC for the likes of Mafia II and the newly released Fifa 11.

A full listing of this week’s update can be found after the break.

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