Source: videogamesblogger.com

In a recent interview with BioWare lead designer Miles Holmes, he mentioned the developer is looking at possibly bringing Mass Effect, Jade Empire and Dragon Age titles to the Nintendo DS. This surprising comment was made when talking about the upcoming DS RPG Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood.

Mr. Molmes described the title as an effort to get BioWare’s handheld division off the ground. He explained that the developer would consider making more DS titles to support its console games. To quote: “Basically anything that reinforces the franchises. We have a lot of big plans for Mass Effect. Having a DS version would be an awesome way to keep interest alive and keep it going in addition to the next one [Mass Effect 2].”

Mr. Holmes commented he would personally like to see a Mass Effect title on the DS: “I tell you which one I would want. I want the Mass Effect one”, quoted GI.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Starting next Monday, February 11th, you can download three more Xbox Originals from Xbox Live Marketplace. Download and play Ninja Gaiden Black from Team Ninja (Tecmo), Sid Meier’s Pirates! (2K Games), or BLACK (Electronic Arts), for 1200 Microsoft Points each (that’s $15 / €14.40 / £10.20 / CAN$18.60 / AU$19.80).

Xbox Originals on Xbox Live Marketplace brings you original Xbox games to play on your Xbox 360. Relive your favorites or find games you missed the first time around. The latest rumors around the web say that Conker Live and Reloaded, Fable and Jade Empire could be next on the Xbox Originals list! What follows are more details on each of the three officially announced games.

Ninja Gaiden Black
From: Tecmo
Rating: ESRB M (Mature - for Blood & Gore and Intense Violence)
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points
Availability: Worldwide, except in Australia or New Zealand

Ninja Gaiden, the critically acclaimed cut-and-slash action game, took the action genre by storm with its unique and innovative gameplay, killer story, and mind-blowing graphics. Now you can experience even more of Ryu Hayabusa’s deadly artistry in Ninja Gaiden Black, the newest installment in the series, slashing its way to Xbox.

Features are:
• Action-packed story: Play Story mode or Mission mode, including boss battles, time challenges, and more!
• Hurricane Pack content: Encounter new enemies, big bad bosses, and new costumes from Hurricane Packs 1 and 2.
• Difficulty levels: Choose from five levels of difficulty for all kinds of gamers, from “Ninja Dog” to “Very Difficult Master Ninja.”
• Bonus extras: Play the original arcade versions of Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Ryukenden.

Sid Meier’s Pirates!
From: 2K Games
Rating: Rated T (Teen – for Mild Violence)
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points
Availability: Worldwide, except in Korea, Japan, or Germany

Sid Meier’s Pirates! is the action-packed roleplaying game that lets you live the life of a pirate in the seventeenth-century Caribbean. Choose which exploits and quests to pursue in this Xbox-customized version of Sid’s original, award-winning Pirates! PC game.

Features are:
• Engage in fierce naval battles: Fight single enemies or multiple ships.
• Build a fleet: Take the helm of 27 different ship types enhanced with assorted ammo, cannons, and other upgrades.
• Integrated melee: Parry and slash your dueling opponents into submission with lightning quick moves onboard ships, in seedy taverns, and even in the Governor’s mansion.
• Take your crew ashore: Dig up buried treasure or plunder enemy ports in strategic land battles. Sneak in and out of towns, escape from prisons, and avoid guards, or surprise them and knock them out!
• A pirate’s life: Increase your riches and win the heart of the Governor’s daughter to earn gifts and valuable information.
• Multiplayer combat: Grab a controller and jump into four-player ship battles in Versus mode.
• Make your own story: Challenge and pursue the most infamous pirates in history, including Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, and Henry Morgan. If you prevail, they’ll teach unique skills to you!
• Online bonuses: Use Xbox Live to upload scores and compare your pirating prowess with friends and foes alike. Also, download sail emblems, flags, and other content.
• Renowned creator: Designed by Hall-of-Fame game designer Sid Meier.

BLACK
From: Electronic Arts
Rating: ESRB M (Mature - for Strong Language and Violence)
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points
Availability: Worldwide, except in Korea or Japan

Join the world’s most brutal and enigmatic strike force. The BLACK tactical squad operates under the cloak of complete anonymity and deniability to protect the U.S. from threats foreign and domestic. It answers to no one, allowing it to carry out covert operations around the globe.
From manipulating politicians to controlling intelligence networks and militaries, BLACK operatives are trained at the highest level in psychological warfare, espionage, and lethal combat. Go deep into the world of clandestine warfare as you use any means necessary to get the job done.

Features are:
• Guns are the stars: An explosive arsenal of bleeding-edge weaponry is at your disposal.
• Every bullet counts: Everything in the environment is affected by gunfire.
• It’s bigger and louder: Experience the most exhilarating and destructive shooter ever created.
• Death is an opportunity: Every enemy dies like a stuntman.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Ray Muzyka, co-CEO of BioWare, back in 2005 talked about a Jade Empire sequel to the action-RPG with martial arts fighting. But in the past week the Mercury News confirmed a contact of theirs at BioWare saw code for Jade Empire 2 on the Xbox 360! But since EA bought BioWare, it might also appear on PC and PS3.

“Jade Empire was BioWare’s second big game for the Xbox, following the exclusive Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic title in 2003. Jade Empire launched in spring 2005 on the Xbox. That means the team that created it has probably had a couple of years to work on it. During that time, I would guess that Microsoft secured it as an exclusive and they developed the game for that platform,” reports the Mercury News. — Thanks for the tip Mike