Publisher THQ is very happy to announce that the video game title Cars has been made a discount title across almost all platforms. This means that the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable versions have been added to the "Greatest Hits" basket while the Xbox360 version can now found in the "Platinum Hits" basket.

If you really want to know, even the GameCube (GC) version is now a part of "Player's Choice" retail program.

THQ decided to come up with a sequel called Cars Mater-National for the 360, Wii and PlayStation 3 platforms. Disney Interactive Studios Exec. VP and GM Graham Hopper commented:

We are excited by the tremendous success the Cars franchise has achieved across the world on multiple video game platforms. Our successful and long-standing relationship with THQ has delivered a strong portfolio of Disney/Pixar titles that have become family favorites for gamers of all ages.

The original Cars is now available across all platforms at a suggested retail price of US$ 19.99. On the other hand, the new title Cars Mater-National is expected to careen around retail stores this fall. It will also be available on PS2, Nintendo DS, and GBA platforms.

Have you got your copy of Disney's Cars yet? If you own a PSP, PS2, PC, GBA, Nintendo DS, GameCube, or Xbox, then maybe you do. But the Xbox 360 and Wii versions of the game are set to come out in Europe on November. And in anticipation of the release for the next-gen platforms, we got you covered with another trailer to tide over all that waiting.

You've seen the movie. And you often find yourself singing that "Life is a Highway" song. Now it's time to get into the game as Lightning McQueen in his life-changing journey in a detour to Radiator Springs. You'll be meeting familiar friends from the film, including Sally the Porsche, Doc Hudson the Hudson Hornet, and of course, Mater the Rusty Toe-Truck. The cast is all here, and some of them are actually playable characters. There's also going to be some new vehicles you would be meeting for the first time, so that's something you guys might look forward to.

So, watch the vid, hotrods! (it's even voice-over'd by that Movie Trailer guy)

Download: [Cars trailer]

The Force was definitely with Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy as it lightsabered its way through zombie hordes and gangs of thugs to reach the top spot in the UK Sales Charts this week. LucasArts' multiformat title has become the tenth Star Wars title to gain a number one position in the UK all formats charts. It debuted at number 3 in the UK sales charts last week even before it was officially released, so this development isn't unexpected.

Here are the chart's top five games:

1. Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
2. Dead Rising
3. Saints Row
4. Cars
5. Test Drive Unlimited

Buy: [Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (Xbox 360)]
Buy: [Dead Rising]
Buy: [Saints Row]
Buy: [Cars]
Buy: [Test Drive Unlimited]

The Leipzig Games Convention (LGC) is here! The Developer Conference opens today, August 21, with a record-breaking participation of more than 600 visitors. The LGC starts August 21 if you're a game developer, August 23 if you're a VIP or with the media, and August 24 if you're one of us, the unwashed masses. The LGC exhibitions end August 27, so start hiking now.

What does video game publisher THQ have for their line-up for the LGC? We took THQ's (very long) press release and squeezed it for the goodies. Here's the short version for your reading pleasure:

Saints Row
For the Xbox 360 is this third-person open-world action/driving hybrid developed by THQ's Volition, Inc. You're a gang member with the 3rd Street Saints and you have to go up the gang ranks and eventually take over the city Stilwater. The game features character customization options and supports multiplayer mode through Xbox Live. Official release: Aug. 29 for North America; Sept. 1 for Europe.

Frontlines: Fuel of War
For the Xbox 360 and also for PS3 and Windows PC is this open-world infantry and vehicle first person shooter from THQ's Kaos Studios. In the near future, a global war for oil is being waged between the Western Coalition (US/NATO) and the Red Star Alliance (Russia/China). You'll play both sides of the battle. Official release: 2007.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007
For the PSP, Xbox 360, and PS2 is this 8th release in the THQ and JAKKS Pacific franchise. It features an analog control grappling system, new movesets, and an interactive fighting area within the crowd. There are updated rosters for Raw and SmackDown and an expanded General Manager Mode and online multiplayer game play with voice chat support. Official release: 2006 holiday season.

Disney-Pixar Cars
You race. Based on the movie. Official release: fall 2006 for Xbox 360 and Wii; all throughout this summer for PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA, PSP, DS, Windows PC, and Mac.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
Bikini Bottom. Enough said. Official release: fall of 2006 for Wii, PS2, DS, GameCube, GBA, and Windows PC.

Monster House
Based on the movie. Official release: all throughout this summer for DS, PS2, GameCube, GBA.

Bratz: Forever Diamondz
Search of the country's hottest fashion designer. Official release: fall of 2006 for DS, PS2, GameCube, and GBA.

Barnyard
Based on the upcoming film. Official release: fall of 2006 for Wii, PS2, GameCube, GBA, and Windows PC.

Avatar: The Last Airbender
Do your kung fu and explore the four Avatar nations. Official release: fall of 2006 for Wii, DS, PSP, PS2, GameCube, Xbox, GBA, and Windows PC.

THQ UK have released eight new screenshots for the PSP version of their upcoming movie-game crossover title Cars. The game is being developed by Rainbow and will be available for pretty much every single console out there: the DS, GBA, GC, PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox, Wii and X360. The game will hit European shores on June 14th and will be a popular title for Disney Pixar fans. Lets be honest, who isn't a fan of Disney Pixar? Cars for the PSP features:

• Story-based racing adventure game that will relive all of the key moments of the movie
• More than 10 playable characters from the film
• Open world environment with over 50 races
• Authentic voice talent from the hit movie Cars

The game itself is probably aimed at younger gamers although this will probably turn out to be a title with a family twist, suitable for all. The Mario Kart-like interface is really good, and will probably make this title sell just because you can't get Mario Kart for the PSP. Unless that is you use PSPVBA. Here's the eye candy.

    
  

With summer almost here, most people are now starting to get preoccupied with either looking for summer jobs or planning their summer vacations. But dedicated gamers are of a different sort - waiting for games to be released these coming days is their main business (or sometimes, folly).
Here's a list of games for release from June 5 to 9 this week. I wonder which ones I'll be able to grab...


JUNE 5, 2006

AMF Xtreme Bowling (PS2, Xbox)
MLB SlugFest 2006 (PS2, Xbox)
Origin of the Species (PC)
Magnetica (DS)
IHRA Drag Racing: Sportsman Edition (PS2, PC)
Dark and Light (PC)
Big Brain Academy (DS)


JUNE 6, 2006

Cars (PS2, Xbox, GC, DS, GBA, PSP, PC)
WWII Combat: Iwo Jima (Xbox, PC)
Gradius Collection (PSP)
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PS2)
Jaws Unleashed (PC)
Backyard Baseball 2007 (GBA)
Dragon Ball: Advance Adventure (GBA)
The Movies: Stunts & Effects (PC)
Race Driver 2006 (PSP)
Mumbo Jumbo Puzzle Pack (PC)
And 1 Streetball (PS2, Xbox)
Ultra Sudoku & Ultra Kakuro (PC)


JUNE 7, 2006

Moscow to Berlin: Red Siege (PC)
SuDoku & KaKuro Collector's Edition (PC)
Deep Sea Tycoon: Diver's Paradise (PC)


JUNE 9, 2006

Scurge: Hive (DS, GBA)
Juka and the Monophonic Menace (GBA)

The game version of this movie has already been announced for Nintendo's Revolution and has also been confirmed a while back to have a version for the PSP. Fortunately, the game for the PSP is still scheduled for a June release.

As with most movie tie-ins, games like Cars from developer THQ have a big chance to either flop or be successful in the gaming world. With this game, I bet it's going to be the latter. For kids anyway. (Haha!) Who wouldn't want to race in/with talking cars? Who wouldn't want to help the game's protagonist Lightning McQueen win the coveted Piston Cup Championship?

I sure hope the release won't get delayed.