If you enjoyed playing the original Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC, PSP), Activision has a treat for you. In a recent conference call, the company confirmed that it will be releasing a sequel to the game within the year. More on this superhero sequel in the full article after the jump.

When we say "Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is epic" you can take it to mean a number of ways. For one thing, it's epic because Activision's going to release it across a lot of gaming platforms: PSP, PS2, PS3, Wii, GBA, PC, Xbox, and Xbox 360. While today marks the shipping date of the game in retailers nationwide, the PS3 and Wii versions are still to follow in mid-November. So, as early as now, you can start choosing what platform you might want to save the world in.

Speaking of which, that's another way you can say that the game is epic. You're going to be on the move to thwart the dastardly plans of the evil guys out there like Mandarin and even Galactus. As you progress through the game, your battle become one that will eventually determine the fate of the planet, and basically, the whole of the Marvel universe.

The "epicness" of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance can also be taken by the sheer amount of characters in the game. There's going to be more than 140 Marvel characters and over 20 of them are playable. You can mix-and-match your team to include Wolverine, Iron Man, The Thing, Spidey, Captain America, Ghost Rider... The list goes on.

For what it's worth, this game really looks, sounds, and feels epic. And now matter how you'd define "epicness" you might have a hard time trying to escape this game (what with all those platform releases)...

Pre-order: [Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for PSP]
Pre-order: [Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for PS3]
Pre-order: [Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for Wii]
Buy: [Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for Xbox 360]

Okay, we all know that when comic book characters change costumes it's usually to hype sales. Yeah, the writers will say it's because the story requires the characters to change duds, and the artists would say that the publisher just gave him an ok to exercise their creativity... or something. Still they can't deny the fact that whenever Spider-man changes from blue and red spandex to black symbiotic goo or red and yellow metallic alloy, reader buzz is generated.

Sequential art readers like stuff like that. Change every now and then is welcome.

Well, Activision's Marvel Ultimate Alliance has a similar treat for gamers. You get to change your characters costumes. Yay. whoop-dee-doo. Well, IGN claims that the costume change is not only cosmetic, but also functional. Performance will be affected, or so IGN says. So black Spidey really is physically stronger? Well, we'll have to wait for the game I guess. Good thing that the release is about a week away.

Given this historic (nostalgic) assortment of alternate costumes for the playable characters, and the inclusion of a healthy amount of notable non-playable characters, this game is set to be an action packed tour through Marvel-verse lore.

Read the full article to get a whole truckload of images of the good Doctor Strange, Storm, Cap, Spidey, Wolvie, and Thor in their different costumes.

One of the amazing things about Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is how it tests not only your playing skills, but also your creativity down to the littlest things. We're talking about 140 characters, your choice of costumes, characters, vehicles, team members, and even your team's name. How much more creative freedom could we ask for, right?

And that's not even half of it (yeah we're gushing now, sorry), you also get exclusive prequel missions, enhanced widescreen aspect ratio, PSP-enabled community website where you can get player stats, and user interface enhancements to jazz up your PSPs. And with co-op play online AND offline, imagine the explosions of chaotic combat filling up your handhelds' screens!

Okay, you know what? Before we start drooling all over, why don't we just get to the reason why you guys clicked on this article in the first place? Screenshots!!! Oh, and before we forget, MUA will be hitting shelves on October 24th. On to the screens!

More screens await after the jump!

He's got some cool boots, that's for sure! As we get closer to the release of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Activision is spearheading their promotions with some of the most famous characters in the Marvel Universe. In this case, there's only one perfect time to preview the brawling mass of half-naked, butt-smashing rock, and that's clobbering time!

For this quick preview trailer, The Thing battles other things, like burning things, and humanoid cat things, and aliens-stuck-in-web-things. Of course, he gets to show them all who's the King of all Things! Funny how his pants never get ripped or burned, and you never see sticky webbing on his boots. That just goes to show you how great he is!

Have fun watching, and expect to hear more about this brawler for the PSP, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii in the coming weeks.

Download: [Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - The Thing]

After a pretty boring Summer in relation to PSP UMD game releases, it appears that PSP gamers are in for a treat this fall. Developers are making it up to us with the release of loads of great PSP games that you'll just have to buy. I hope you've been saving up your cash over summer. Here's the enormous list in alphabetical order:

• Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception - October 17 2006
  
• ATV Offroad Fury Pro - October 17 2006
  
• Bounty Hounds - September 12 2006
  
• Death Jr 2: Root of Evil - October 31 2006
  
• EA Replay - November 7 2006
• Gangs of London - September 2006
  
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories- October 16 2006
  
• Justice League Heroes - October 17 2006
  
• Killzone: Liberation - October 31 2006
  
• Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trio logy - September 12 2006
• Loco Roco - September 5 2006
• Lumines 2 - November 7 2006
• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - October 24 2006
• Medal of Honor Heroes - October 23 2006
• Mercury Meltdown - October 3 2006
• Metal Slug Anthology - October 31 2006
• Scarface: Money.Power.Respect - October 6 2006
• WTF: Work Time Fun - September 26 2006
• WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2007 - November 14 2006

Have a great Fall and don't forget to check back with QJ.net for all the latest news on these games.

Activision announced today that Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Raven Software's highly anticipated action/RPG, has just been scored by a trio of award-winning composers.

Chance Thomas (Peter Jackson's King Kong, Lord of the Rings series), Cris Velasco (God of War) and Mark Griskey (Best of LucasArts Original Soundtrack) produced over 50 minutes of original music for the game, including the superhero and boss battle themes, multiple game level themes, and in-game cinematics.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance will be the first superhero game available this fall for all next-gen gaming systems. If you're interested in knowing about musical scores for other games, you might find this previous article interesting. Check it out.

Matthew Paul, Activision Producer of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, has been busy doing interviews. We recently covered one interview last time and he's here with another one. We're here to give you a summary of the interview.

Regarding the characters, costumes, and locations: variety is the name of the game. According to Matthew, there will be over 140 Marvel Characters and more than 20 Super Heroes will be playable. Besides the "usual" favorites like: Spidey, Cap A, and Wolvie; possible surprising favorites could be Ghost Rider, Human Torch & Dr. Strange could give the faves a run for their money.

All 20 has at least 4 different costumes. As we mentioned last time, costumes are more than eye-candy. Some costumes provide characters with added powers or stats. A great example would be Spidey wearing the black and white costume vs. the 'ol red and blue tights. Possible locations are the Helicarrier, Atlantis, Skrull homeplanet and Murderworld.

So how did Activision come up with a story that features all these Marvel characters from different worlds? Silver Surfer and Blade, together in a team for example. The writers had an easy time with the core story because of the diverse history behind each superhero. They included combinations of the basic plots in both Secret Wars and major moments in some superhero's lives. What they found challenging was picking the best parts and including it in the main part of the story. Getting Marvel editor, C.B. Cebulski, made the story more accurate and valid.

The event that draws all these superheroes together is when Nick Fury calls on them for back up against Dr. Doom. They all go to the Helicarrier and, after driving Doom away, search for the reasons behind the attack. The players decisions on some key points in the story will affect the ending or epilogue of the game. A perfect example would be choosing to help Namor. In short, the game's ending changes. So if you want to see all of them, we suggest you go through the game more than once.

Thanks to the massive graphics engine of new-gen consoles, the characters have life-like details on their costumes and bodies. For instance, Cap A's steel mesh costume and the Thing's rocky hide. The superhero effects and environments also gets a large boost thanks to the next-gen graphics engines. It's like you're watching a big budget live film rather than a video game.

Regarding consoles. the Wii will have as much content as the PS3 and Xbox 360 does. The only difference will be the controls. With the Wii controller, you can feel like a hero. However, there was no mention how this will be done. The online play will be available. The game will allow four players to either go up against each other, or team up to finish the same mission. At the end of the game, ranking will be the defining factor. There's no downloadable content right now, but they'll be thinking about it after the game's out.

Well, more interviews, the more details we're getting.

Until then, Make mine Marvel!

We came across an interview with Activision producer Matthew Paul regarding the much anticipated Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and we found some info that might be worth sharing with you guys.

He said that the game's premise zoom in on Dr. Doom assembling a new version of Masters of Evil to steal some important articles. As to why - he's keeping it under wraps. They were also obviously getting the cooler heroes included in the game. For example, they especially liked Dr. Strange & Ghost Rider for their unique fighting moves, and Human Torch and Elektra just because they look too good to be left out. Locations are also one of the main points of this game, SHIELD Hellicarrier, the underwater city of Atlantis, and the Skrull Homeworld (while it's slowly being destroyed by Galactus by the way).

Graphics? New effects, more particles, shaders and the like will be included in this game. The game will be as close as to what the Marvel fans will be expecting. Want a sampling? Go here to see Nightcrawler jumping all around the place, and two previous trailers.

Regarding looking cool, the multiple costumes for the characters also allow them some addition to the player stats; for instance, Spidey's old black costume and Thor's alien one. Gameplay and combat system was totally overhauled from the Xmen Legends technology. This time characters may have the same attacks but different moves.

There will be some unique features depending on what platform you'll be using. For the PSP, four exclusive playable Marvel characters will be included, exclusive prequel missions, enhanced widescreen aspect ratio, PSP-enabled community website that include player stats, and user interface enhancements to take advantage of the PSP design. For the PS3 system and Xbox 360, amazing graphics that take full advantage of the next-gen hardware. These include real-time shadows, detailed texture to the environments, and true hi-def in-game cinematics. As we mentioned last time, moves and powers will also be a new thing if you integrate it with Wii controller technology. Slash like Blade, you say? Yes and more.

Until this game teleports into stores, make mine MARVEL!

Think about it right now: You are in control of over 140 Marvel characters. You have your choice if team members, name, logo and even vehicle. And fighting evil on land, water and in air with the option to either play online or offline. What a marvelous chaos it would be. That's what's Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is all about.

Take a peak at what you're getting if you're a PlayStation 3 owner:

And for those that own an XBox 360, this is what you're waiting for until Fall of 2006:

Like what every other gamer would say, screenshots are a dime a dozen nowadays. You need to back it up with a video for it to be worth everybody's while.

Download: [Non-Playable Characters Trailer]