Another week is opening, and this means another hearty list of games to look forward to. Wii and DS gamers are sure to be the biggest winners this week as Nintendo once again owns this batch of releases. But of course, Sony and Microsoft aren't about to be left behind, as they too have their own little offerings of joy for the fans. Check out the full list of games coming out this week over at the full article.

Originally posted Jan 21, 2008 at 12:47AM

If you've loved that 1987 classic of arcade proportions, then Rainbow Islands Evolution from developer Taito and Digital Whip could be your next ticket back to Rainbow Island goodness. And then some. Despite mild reviews on the Japanese version, publisher Ignition Entertainment seem to be ever persistent in reeling in fans back to the fold. To that end, they've released the heroic duo's character art, plus a couple of hints of the backstory.

North American gamers are in for a classic-filled fun this coming Q1 of 2008 after Marvelous and Ignition Entertainment reached an agreement to bring upcoming DS titles Bubble Bobble Revolution and New Zealand Revolution Story as well as PSP game Rainbow Islands Revolution to North America.

The said DS video games are actually remakes of the original with upgraded graphics and a few level additions. Rainbow Islands Revolution for the PSP, furthermore, is a new entry in the Bubble Bobble franchise. Marvelous owns the rights to these titles and the North American versions will be published by Ignition.

"These games have such classic arcade appeal you will be looking for the slot to put your quarter. They are iconic classics that every DS and PSP system owner must have and we are honored to partner with Marvelous to bring them to North America," commented Ignition USA President Ajay Chadha.

Bub and Bob's back on a new adventure as they, along with the rest of Rainbow Islands, get a major modern overhaul/makeover. This time, they battle an evil record company that has killed the flora and turned the fauna into rabid killing machines. Now the duo goes out to fight the company's seven bosses to stop their dastardly plans.

This resurrected Taito classic is the third title in Rising Star's Evolution series which included co-resurectees Space Invaders and Bubble Bobble. Rainbow Islands Evolution is set for release in Q1. For now, we'll hope these screens can tide us over while we wait for the official release date - or the game itself.

More screens after the jump!

Revisit the Rainbow Islands, where Bob and Bub are now under the grasps of an ecosystem-polluting record company evil. Because of its grubby enterprise boldly dubbed as "music", flowers then die off, and the usually friendly greens have mutated into angry, angsty foes. It is now entirely up to the duo to put a halt to this atrocity spawned by the record company.

Well that certainly seems like a lot to do for our two heroes. But on a lighter note, check out the enhanced environment, now in 3D. The platforms now follow perspective and disappears off into the distance. As Bob and Bub go through the levels, these platforms will then move forward, thus becoming accessible.

Says Rainbow Islands Evolution producer Tony Byus, "We're passionate about keeping the classic gameplay intact, whilst updating and modernising the design without affecting the essential gameplay. In effect, our goal is to produce what [it] could have been if the PSP...had been available in 1987."

The Evolution series is a range of modernized videogame classics, especially made for the PSP, by Rising Star Games. Bubble Bobble Evolution also was developed by the same guys.

Rainbow Islands Evolution shines your way early next year.