Capcom recently revealed plans to release a downloadable remake of Bionic Commando entitled Bionic Commando: Master D Revival Plan (subtitled Hitler’s Revival in Japan).

This XBLA and PSN release is in addition to Capcom’s upcoming full 3D remake/sequel of the series and will be a completely separate title.

Master D Revival Plan is reportedly a 3D title that “promises to maintain the flavor of the original title,” which presumably means side scrolling gameplay and (hopefully) a firm adherence to the original’s pseudo-adventure-game style.

A Japanese version of the downloadable game is planned for Spring, but release plans for an American or European version have yet to be announced.

Source: IGN: Bionic Commando Remake Set for PS3

Microsoft is already adding to the Xbox Originals library, and the new title is a great one: Burnout 3 Takedown.

If, like me, you’re getting antsy waiting for Burnout Paradise, this might be just enough to tide you over, though 1200 points is still awfully pricey.

You can grab Burnout 3 starting on Monday. That’s assuming you can connect to Live to download it, of course.

Live service has been suffering lately due to “server strain” brought on by a huge upsurge in demand over the holidays.

The Xbox team has been scrambling ever since to get it back to normal, with varying degrees of success.

I’ve been getting mixed reports. Some of my friends say Live is smooth as pudding, while others are still frustrated.

I’m having trouble getting and staying connected. What’s it like for you?

Microsoft is offering an impressive little bribe to European 360 owners to get them to persuade their pals to follow the way of the console, too: ten free Xbox Live Arcade games.

The pal with the new console gets the free games, too, thanks to Microsoft’s “refer a friend” promotion, which runs until December 14th.

The freebies are:

• Every Extend Extra Extreme
• Sonic The Hedgehog
• Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting
• Bomberman Live
• Marble Blast Ultra
• Spyglass Boardgames
• 3D Mini Golf Adventures
• Small Arms
• Assault Heroes
• Zuma Deluxe

Uno and Worms, two of the Arcade’s most-played titles, are notably not included.

The relative age of most of the titles makes it likely that the existing 360 owner will only scoop up a few new games, but for someone just buying a 360, this is a huge bonus.

If the Nintendo Wii turns out to be as hard to get as predicted, casual players just might be tempted to go the Microsoft route instead.

Source: Next Generation

Want to be rid of double-A batteries? Red Octane is here to help.

The Guitar Hero makers are offering a USB-rechargeable lithium battery pack that works with the new Guitar Hero III wireless controllers for PS3, PS2, and Xbox 360. Yes: the same device works with all three.

You can grab one for $20.00 USD off their website.

If you haven’t yet purchased Guitar Hero III, they offer bundles of the game, the recharge kit, and a whole mess of other stuff included for $130.00 USD.

When Xbox Live becomes available in India on November 5th, it will offer rentals of 360 games, and educational content, with Video Marketplace content soon to follow.

Thanks to Microsoft’s partnership with Seventymm (India’s version of Netflix), Live subscribers will also be able to rent the latest 360 titles for a set number of days.

“Education specific learning aids for grades 1-12” will also be available, though I’m not quite sure what that means just yet.

Once the Video Marketplace is up and running, users will be able to download pre-released UTV Bollywood films, as well as content related to upcoming films like Hanuman.

Given Microsoft’s spin that the 360 Arcade is for families, might we see educational material show up on Live in North America soon?

I’m personally more interested in that game rental service, though. The guarantee that the title you want would be available, 24/7, is really appealing.

The Guitar Hero III demo is now available on Xbox Live, though you may have already tried it if you picked up Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground or the December issue of Official Xbox Magazine.

You may even have downloaded a less-than-legal copy from various websites last week, though I don’t encourage such behavior. Yarr.

You don’t need a guitar to play the demo, but obviously it’s more enjoyable if you use one.

The demo includes five songs:

• Lay Down (Priestess)
• Rock You Like a Hurricane (Scorpions)
• Even Flow (Pearl Jam)
• Hit Me with Your Best Shot (Pat Benatar)
• The Metal (Tenacious D)

Guitar Hero III is going to be one of the best selling games of 2007 I believe. Thoughts?