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Third official Train2Game webinar details

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The third official Train2Game webinar will be taking place from 6:15 pm on Wednesday 20th October.

Previous Train2Game webinars have covered subjects including the games industry and the Train2Game Games Designer, Games Developer and Games Artist & Animator courses.

This time, the main speakers be focusing on will be on the new Train2Game Incubator Scheme. The Train2Game Incubator Scheme will give  best and brightest Train2Game graduates work placements at UK games studios. The Train2Game incubator scheme will also give the best students the financial support required to develop their own commercial video games. More information about the Train2Game Incubator Programme is available here.

The Train2Game webinar panel will be hosted by the Clive Robert (CEO of DR Studios) and Tony Bickley (COO of DR Studios). They’ll be joined b Mike Montgomery (Iconic Developer / CEO of the Bitmap Brothers), Jon Hare (Ambitious Games Designer & Founder and Owner of Tower Studios) and Dave Sharp (Incubator Scheme Co-Ordinator). More information about each of the speakers can be found on the Train2Game webinar website.

The Train2Game webinar is based upon questions from both students and the wider public. If you want to ask the Train2Game webinar panel a question, send it to live@train2game.com before the webinar begins.

It’ll also be possible to ask the panel questions during the Train2Game webinar through Skype. In order to ask live questions during the session, simply install Skype and direct your questions to the username train2gamewebinar.  Skype is available for download here.

The Train2Game webinar will take place at 6:15pm on Wednesday 20th October 2010.

The previous Train2Game webinar is available online, you can see it here.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare release date confirmed

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Red Dead Redemption: Undead NightmareUndead Nightmare, the expansion for Red Dead Redemption will be released on October 26th. The release of Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare in the run up to Halloween seems highly appropriate given the zombie based storyline! Rockstar has also revealed that Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare will also bring new multiplayer content and will be available on disc.

According to the Rockstar games website, the plot behind Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare is as follows:

“Seemingly overnight, a zombie plague ravages the once bountiful frontier, decimating the landscape and reawakening the dead. In towns, settlements, and outposts throughout the world, the uninfected citizens are left to fight for survival against waves of the undead.  John Marston must ride out into the vast and terrifying world and survive long enough to find a cure.”

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare will feature four different types of zombie, each with their own characteristics, and there will be variety of ‘infected’ animals for John Marston to deal with. Ammo can be scare in Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare but this can be combated through the use of a new weapon – the blunderbuss – which can be loaded with the remains of fallen zombies.

Additionally, the deadly Tomahawk and the Explosive Rifle make a triumphant comeback and will be available exclusively for those who downloaded the Legends and Killers Pack and the Liars and Cheats Pack.

Rockstar say Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare will feature a variety of new missions, challenges and events. Undead Nightmare also twists the ‘Wanted’ side-missions of Red Dead Redemption, and replaces them with ‘Missing Person’, where the player must find a missing survivor lost amongst the throngs of undead.

The expansion pack will also feature new multiplayer content, with Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare introducing Undead Overun. It’s brand new multiplayer survival mode where waves of infected enemies attack and players must work together to stay alive against increasingly difficult odds. (Sounds a bit like the Call of Duty zombie mode doesn’t it?)

You can see the trailer for Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare here.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare will be downloadable from Xbox Live for 800 points, and the PlayStation Network for £7.99. Alternatively, Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare will be available on a disc, along with the Outlaws to the End Co-Op Mission Pack, the Legends and Killers Pack, the Liars and Cheats Pack and all the Multiplayer Free Roam modes released to date.

There’s no release date for the Red Dead Redemption combined DLC pack yet, but it’ll cost £24.99 and oddly doesn’t even need the original Red Dead Redemption disc to play.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the new details about Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare? Does the new multiplayer mode float your boat? Would you buy the DLC disc?

You can leave your thoughts on Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Halo: Reach DLC maps announced and dated

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Halo: Reach logo

Microsoft has announced the first DLC pack for Halo Reach. The Halo Reach: Noble Map Pack, will feature three new multiplayer maps. Bungie.net, the official Halo: Reach website states that the Noble Map Pack will be available on Xbox Live and “retail locations” from November 30th at a cost of 800 Microsoft points. The Noble Map Pack will contain all new Achievements worth a total of 250 Gamerscore points.

You can see the first pictures of the additions to Halo: Reach from the Noble Map Pack below.

The official description of the Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack from Bungie says:

“Our DLC team has been hard at work these last few months, cloistered together in the heart of the studio preparing three new multiplayer maps for your Halo: Reach multiplayer pleasure. Though they’re still putting the finishing touches on what we’ve now dubbed the Noble Map Pack as we speak, we’ve been itching like crazy to show off the trio of maps for quite some time now. Today, you get your first good look. The Noble Map Pack will be ready for download on November 30th for 800 Microsoft Points.

The fight for humanity continues on a galactic scale. From a frozen xeno-archaeology site harboring secrets centuries old to an orbital anchor defending the stars high above planet Reach to mysterious places far, far beyond, the Noble Map Pack injects three new explosive environments into the multiplayer battlefield, each designed to reinforce all of Halo: Reach’s vital warfronts, from small scale engagements to massive Invasion battlegrounds.”

You can see the descriptions of the new Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack levels below, and get a glimpse of their designs. You can see more pictures of the new Noble Map Pack levels on the  official Halo: Reach website.

Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack TempestTempest – “Though we may never fully understand these devices, it is not our nature to leave ancient stones unturned.” This abandoned shoreline facility bends both sea and sky to an unnatural purpose, but the ground itself has quickly become another all too familiar battlefield. Though the two opposing symmetrical bases may never reveal their ancient purpose, both now offer makeshift shelter and access to strategic routes perfectly suited for small and large scale skirmishes alike.

Tempest supports 8 – 16 players and offers a variety of modes including Free for All, Team Slayer, Team Objective and Big Team Battle. Tempest also provides players with a huge Forge palette, allowing them to create new custom map variants that can be shared with the community-at-large.


Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack Anchor 9Anchor 9 – “Orbital dockyards provide rapid refuelling and repairs for a variety of UNSC vessels.” Within the confines of this low orbit dry-dock, UNSC craft undergo rapid repair and rearmament in support of the enduring war effort.  But for the small squads of infantry who now fight over the mirrored interior hallways and open central hangar bay, this platform no longer provides any safe harbour – whether the close quarters combat is occurring inside or out of its artificial gravitational field.

Anchor 9 allows 2-8 players to face off in game variants including Free for All, Team Slayer and Team Objective.


Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack BreakpointBreakpoint – “ONI officials believe the data buried within this artefact is key to our survival.” Atop this icy precipice, the Invasion continues. These modular archaeological labs were never intended to withstand such a large-scale onslaught of Covenant military power, but the information being extracted here may prove vital to humanity’s survival. In response to the imminent Covenant threat, UNSC ground and air assets have been deployed to bolster entrenched Spartan countermeasures.

This dig site must yield salvation, or it will become a grave. Breakpoint offers multiplayer mayhem for 8-16 players, and supports the Invasion and Big Team Battle game variants.

Halo: Reach made $200 million dollars on its first day on sale, and easily topped the charts.

So Train2Game, do you think the Noble Map Pack will bring Microsoft even more Halo: Reach success? Will you be investing in the new maps? Or do you think the maps featured in the Noble Pack should have just been included with Halo: Reach on release?

Leave your thoughts here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Call of Duty: Black Ops may be “biggest game ever”

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Call of Duty: Black Ops

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 may be the best selling game ever, but retailer HMV has told Eurogamer that Call of Duty: Black Ops could very well be the “biggest game ever.”

“We’re seeing some exceptional interest for this title across its different formats,” HMV’s senior buyer James Brooks told Eurogamer.

“Particularly our co-exclusive on the Prestige Edition on HMV.com, where stock is nearly sold-through now and very little is left.

“Based on all this initial demand and the huge excitement that’s clearly being generated, I’d say this title has every chance of being the biggest game release ever, and it’s certainly shaping up to become the largest pre-order that we’ve seen in-store and online on HMV.com.”

The pre-order charts of various online retailers suggest that Brooks could very well be right about Call of Duty: Black Ops becoming the biggest game ever. The Play.com pre-order chart features Call of Duty: Black Ops for Xbox 360 in top spot, with Call of Duty: Black Ops for PlayStation 3 behind it in second.

The Game pre-order chart follows the same pattern with Call of Duty: Black Ops for Xbox 360 the retailers most pre-ordered title, with the PlayStation 3 version of Call of Duty: Black Ops again in second. Amazon list Call of Duty: Black Ops on the Xbox 360 as its second biggest seller behind FIFA 11 (EA’s football game has been quite successful itself)

However there is one retailer where Call of Duty: Black Ops isn’t the dominant pre-order title. The ShopTo.net pre-order chart shows the recently delayed (again) Gran Turismo 5 occupying pole position.  Call of Duty: Black Ops for the Xbox 360 is second most pre-ordered title on ShopTo while Call of Duty: Black Ops for the PlayStation 3 is third.

ShopTo Marketing Manager Phil Driver therefore doesn’t think Call of Duty: Black Ops will be as successful as others have claimed.  Driver told Eurogamer:

“COD will be in our all-time top 10 sellers”, but added Activision’s game “won’t be top”.

“We are expecting Gran Turismo 5 to be our greatest ever seller,”

Activision has continued to build the hype around Call of Duty: Black Ops this week, by releasing a new trailer with glimpses of the Call of Duty: Black Ops single player campaign. Call of Duty: Black Ops will also come with a zombie mode, and full 3D support. Naturally, Call of Duty: Black Ops also comes with an online multiplayer mode which will provide Call of Duty fans with hours and hours of entertainment.

Call of Duty: Black Ops is set for release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC on November 9th.

So Train2Game, do you think HMV are right? Will Call of Duty: Black Ops be the biggest game ever? Or will the once again delayed Gran Turismo 5 cause sales of Call of Duty: Black Ops to be less successful than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2?

Leave your thoughts about Call of Duty: Black Ops here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Rockstar reveal Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare trailer

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Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare

Rockstar has released a trailer for Undead Nightmare, the upcoming single player DLC for their smash hit Red Dead Redemption. In short, Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare trailer contains plenty of zombies and it looks good.

The Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare trailer starts with John Marston telling what looks to be his family that “something funny’s going on out there” Then of course all Hell breaks losoe and we have Red Dead Redemptions’ mental grave robber Seth telling us that “The dead are risen” and a plague is turning into “Flesh Eating Crazies” That’s all we know about the plot of Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare for now.

With this being an Undead Nightmare, we of course get to see plenty of zombie action.  The townsfolk of are running scared and it seems that in Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare, John Marston is the only one that can stop the wild western zombie apocalypse.

The trailer also reveals that characters from Red Dead Redemption including, Bonnie McFarlane, Nigel West Dickens and Marshal Johnson will return in Undead Nightmare. The fact that the opening scene of the Undead Nightmare trailer is set in the Marston Range, it’s possible that Undead Nightmare fits into the latter stages of the Red Dead Redemption timeline.

Here’s the Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare trailer in all its zombie glory.


Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare is set to include:

  • New single player missions and challenges
  • 8 new multiplayer zombie characters
  • Zombie animals unleashed into the world
  • New dynamic events
  • Brand new gameplay mechanics
  • Mythical creatures
  • A brand new secret location
  • New weapons
  • New multiplayer modes
  • 3 new outfits: Zombie Hunter, Union Suit, and Legend of the Apocalypse

The Rockstar website says that Red Dead Redemption will be available simultaneously for download via PlayStation®Network ($9.99) and Xbox LIVE® (800 Microsoft Points). There isn’t any release date yet, but we can probably assume that Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare will be available in the run up to Halloween.

Zombies seem to be very much the ‘in’ thing right now, with Call of Duty: Black Ops also set to feature a standalone zombie mode. Meanwhile, Dead Rising 2 has rather very successful, remaining in third place every week since it entered the UK Charts. In fact, Dead Rising 2 entered the top 10 in the same week that Red Dead Redemption finally dropped out of it for the first time since it was released back in May.

Perhaps if zombies aren’t your thing, you can check out the Red Dead Redemption: Liars and Cheats multiplayer DLC. Alternatively, you can watch this video about the making of music for Red Dead Redemption. Of course, it’s likely the same techniques have been used to create atmospheric music for Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare.

So Train2Game, what do you think of the Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare trailer? Is it a clever idea? Will the lure of zombies encourage you to return to the world of Red Dead Redemption? Or do you believe that Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare will ruin the ‘authentic’ western feel of the original game?

You can leave your thoughts on Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare here on the Train2Game blog or on the Train2Game forum.

Gran Turismo 5 delayed again

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Gran Turismo 5Sony has revealed the release of Grand Turismo 5 has been delayed….yet again. The good news this time is that the wait isn’t going to be that long. Probably. The official announcement on the PlayStation blog says:

“We can confirm that Gran Turismo 5 will not be available this November 2nd, but the game’s release will be coming this holiday season.

We sincerely apologize to GT fans for the delay, however, creator Kazunori Yamauchi and the team at Polyphony Digital want to make certain they are creating the perfect racing experience, and we are confident that this ambitious game will exceed expectations when it launches.

We’ll have more information for you in the near future.”

CVG has confirmed that Gran Turismo 5 has also been delayed in Europe. However, ‘the Holiday season’ suggests that Gran Turismo 5 should be available before Christmas. However, with the number of delays that Gran Turismo 5 has suffered we can’t be sure. Development on Gran Turismo 5 started in 2006 after all!

The November 3rd release date for Gran Turismo 5 was revealed that this years’ GamesCom. When it’s finally hits the shops, Gran Turismo 5 will feature over 1,000 fully licensed cars and over 70 racing circuits – including the Top Gear  test track. The much anticipated, and much delayed, racer will also be fully 3D compatible.

So Train2Game, what do you think of this latest delay for Gran Turismo 5? Has anyone actually pre-ordered it? Surely the delay can only be good for the gameplay in Gran Turismo 5, right?

You can leave your thoughts about Gran Turismo 5 here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Fable III TV Trailer

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Fable III logo

Microsoft has released a Fable III launch trailer – which is also the US TV ad – ahead of the games launch at the end of the month. The Fable III TV trailer shows its world of Albion in the midst of a revolution as your hero attempts to overthrow the corrupt King Logan.

The one minute long Fable III video features the hero taking the lead in the revolution, while fighting breaks out in the streets, important looking people are kidnapped and statue representing the old regime of King Logan falls to the ground. All in all, the Fable III trailer looks like it could be for a TV series rather than a game!

You can check out the Fable III TV trailer, with its Young Dead Men by Black Angels backing track, below.


You can see plenty more about Fable III, including a preview and lots of screenshots, over on Gabe’s Thoughts of Train2Game blog.

The Xbox 360 version of Fable III is currently available for pre-order in both standard and collector’s editions.  The Collector’s edition of Fable III includes:

  • A new quest: Uncover the mystery of the haunted forests of Silverpines and earn the legendary sword, Wolfsbane, deadly against wolves and balverines.
  • Exclusive location: Unlock a new region, ideal for settling down with a family and discovering new treasures.
  • Fable III playing cards: Created by Lionhead, these cards depict every type of character in “Fable III,” including Heroes, royals, rebels and villains from across Albion and beyond.
  • Guild Seal Coin: The coin features a Good side (blue) and Evil side (red) to assist players in making critical decisions that will impact the fate of the world forever.
  • A new dog breed: Renowned for its loyalty, the Boxer is a brave canine companion worthy of greatest Queens and Kings.
  • One unique outfit: Unearth one male and female outfit from the mysterious, faraway land of Aurora, a new destination in your “Fable III” adventures.

Fable III is set for release on the Xbox 360 on October 29th. A PC version of Fable III is also planned, but a release date is hasn’t yet been nailed down.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the Fable III TV trailer? Does it make the game look exciting? Or do you think it should show some gameplay footage?

You can leave your thoughts on Fable III, here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Call of Duty: Black Ops single player campaign trailer

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Call of Duty Black Ops

Activision have released a new Call of Duty: Black Ops trailer. This latest video shows what we can expect from the Call of Duty: Black Ops single player campaign. Releasing a new Call of Duty: Black Ops video just as Medal of Honor is released? Activision that’s very cheeky…

The Call of Duty: Black Ops campaign trailer gives us a taste of what will be packed into the single player part of Treyarch’s game. So what will feature in Call of Duty: Black Ops?

Well, perhaps the most interesting little reveal is that at some point of the Call of Duty: Black Ops campaign, you’ll be riding a motorbike, while shooting at people of course. The Call of Duty: Black Ops trailer also suggests that you’ll play as Captain Alex Mason, who someone is “trying to erase from history”

It also looks like that at some point during Call of Duty: Black Ops, Mr Mason will have to play a game of Russian roulette. Will he survive? With Black Ops being a Call of Duty game, you can’t safely predict one way or the other!

CIA types, underwater scenarios, rockets, and of course, lots of explosions also feature in the Call of Duty: Black Ops video. You can see the full Call of Duty: Black Ops campaign trailer from Treyarch below.


The Call of Duty: Black Ops single player campaign is set to feature an all star cast including the likes of Gary Oldman and Ed Harris. Earlier this month, Activision also revealed that Call of Duty: Black Ops will feature full 3D support. Call of Duty: Black Ops will also see the return of the popular Zombie Mode, first featured in Call of Duty: World at War.

Naturally, there’s also a massive interest in the Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer mode, which you can find out more about here. The game will be available in standard, hardened and prestige editions. If you wish to pre-order the hardened or prestige editions’ of Call of Duty: Black Ops, they’ll set you back £64.99 and £129.99 respectively!

Call of Duty: Black Ops is scheduled for worldwide release on November 9th on Xbox 360, on PlayStation 3 and on PC.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the Call of Duty: Black Ops? Does the trailer excite you, and if so what is your favourite bit? Or are you not looking forward to Call of Duty: Black Ops? And if so, why not?

If you’re not a fan of Activision or Call of Duty: Black Ops, you may want to read this…

You can leave your thoughts about Call of Duty: Black Ops here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II demo available now

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Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II

The Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II demo is now available on Xbox Live for you to try. Don’t worry PlayStation 3 owners, you’ll be able to download a demo of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II on the PlayStation Network from tomorrow.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II is the follow up to the 2008 original. The events of the sequel take place seven months after the events of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and year before Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, the player once again takes the role of Starkiller, Darth Vader’s Secret Apprentice in the first game.

LucasArts recently released a suitably cinematic trailer for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II. It contains light saber wielding action, Starkiller, Darth Vadar, Yoda, Force Powers and Bobba Fett.  You can see the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II gameplay trailer below.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II is scheduled for release in Europe on October 29th, for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, and Nintendo Wii.

A  collectors edition of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II will also be available, containing:

  • Star Wars: Force Unleashed II video game in a collectable SteelBook case
  • Three exclusive challenge mode levels
  • An exclusive Ralph McQuarrie concept “Deak Starkiller” skin
  • An exclusive Lightsaber crystal
  • An exclusive MIMOBOT® designer 2GB USB Flash Drive
  • Digital art book, featuring insights into the art of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
  • Game script by Haden Blackman
  • Themed wallpapers

In a strange twist, last month LucasArts revealed hat Monkey Island’s Guybrush Threepwood will be available in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II. How the mighty pirate is unlocked remains unknown.

For more Star Wars action, you can check out this trailer for upcoming MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic.

So Train2Game, if you own an Xbox 360 gamer, have you got your hands on the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II demo yet? If so how is it? Did you enjoy the original? And are you interested in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II?

As usual, leave your thoughts here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 released and Sonic Colours video revealed

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Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is now available! Unfortunately at this moment in time you can only buy the first instalment of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 if you’re a Nintendo Wii owner in the USA.

But fear not because European fans of the blue hedgehog will be able to download Sonic the Hedgehog 4 from different days this week depending on console preference. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 will be available on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade from tomorrow. European Nintendo Wii owners need to wait until Friday before they can get stuck into Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1.

For a full run down of what Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 will cost on each system, and to see a Casino Street Zone gameplay trailer, you can click here.

Speaking about the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, vice president of Digital Business at SEGA of America Haruki Satomi, said:

“Fans have been eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Sonic’s 2D saga for quite some time,”

“It gives me great pleasure to say that the wait is over – players around the world can now experience Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I on the console of their choice!”

Meanwhile, the official blurb for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 says:

“Dr. Eggman, having survived yet another defeat at the end of Sonic and Knuckles, has decided to upgrade the best of his badniks with one single goal in mind: destroy the spiky speedster once and for all. Players will have to use classic moves like the Spin Dash and the highly versatile Homing Attack to sprint through enemies, traps and hazards as they hunt down the evil doctor yet again. Will the power of the Chaos Emeralds be enough to bring him down this time? There’s only one way to find out!”

Fans of the series will be pleased to know that Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 has been receiving positive reviews.

The American release of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 comes on the same day that a new trailer for the upcoming Nintendo exclusive Sonic title, Sonic Colours, has been unleashed on the world. Among other things, the new Sonic Colours trailer features an appearance from Tails.

Sonic Colours is scheduled for release in Europe on November 12th, for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS and you can see the latest trailer below.

So Train2Game, will you be purchasing Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 this week? Do you think it’ll take you back to Sonic the Hedgehogs’ glory days on the SEGA Mega Drive? And what are your thoughts on the upcoming Nintendo exclusive Sonic Colours?

As usual, you can leave your thoughts here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.