Electronic Arts has just released a new video showing off Criterion's Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit.

Check it out after the jump:

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Morning folks. And welcome to the last working day of the week - the weekend is so close you can taste it. This morning I've got something special for you. We're giving away a copy of Mafia II on Xbox 360.

We're going light on the small print here - I'm happy to send the game anywhere in the world. Whether it works on the Xbox 360 where you are - well that's beyond my control. But here we have a European version of the game up for grabs.

Entering the competition is simplicity itself. All I want you to do is complete the following sentence in the comments section below.

"Dear Boomtown X, I really deserve to win the copy of Mafia II because..."

Registering is free, and we won't spam you in any way. You'll need to register with a valid email address as your account isn't activated until you've clicked the link in your validation email. Register here.

The competition closes on Friday 10th September at midday UK time. I'll then choose the response I like the best from all the entrants and post the result on this very page. Be aware this is an 18 rated game and is definitely not for children - are you listening rubbish parents?

Good Luck.

_{Competition listed on Loquax Competitions}

Some tasty new shots from Warner's Lord of the Rings: War in the North after the jump:

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You can now download the Toybox DLC for Crackdown 2 from the Xbox Live Marketplace. The download is 49MB and will cost you 560 Microsoft Points.

Expand Crackdown 2 with the Toy Box Pack! It's bursting at the seams with extra toys and treasures, including an expanded Keys to the City mode, the ATV Assault Vehicle, the Squad Chopper, Suit Thrusters, new Agent armor colors, and a Vehicle Tag game, just to name a few. The Toy Box Pack is packed so full it would take a Level 5 Agent to hold it closed!

Download the content via your console or queue it up online via this Xbox.com linky.

After the jump we've got the latest Medal of Honor trailer from Electronic Arts.

This latest vid is called The MOH Experience Part 2: Gunfighters and shows off an Apache Gunship level.

While this made me want to play MOH right now, the biggest emotional response I had was "it's about time publishers started making good flight sims again, where's my Gunship sequel."

Anyway, check out the video after the break:

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Activision has released this launch trailer for Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions.

Microsoft has announced that the Kinect Xbox 360 motion control system will be release in Australia on November 18th for AUS$199.

A 4GB Xbox 360 Slim bundle will also be available complete with Kinect system for AUS$449.

Kinect is set for release in Europe on November 10th and in the US on November 8th.

You can now download a playable demo for Sega's Vanquish from the Xbox Live Marketplace and PSN.

LONDON (September 1st, 2010) – SEGA® Europe Ltd. can confirm that the VANQUISHTM Official Demo: Velocity Attack, is available exclusively for download from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, and PlayStation® Store for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in Europe today.

VANQUISHTM is the hottest title Shinji Mikami has worked on in over 4 years, achieving high tension throughout the game and delivering a new sense of game merged shooting and action in a finely balanced manner. The game is set for release across North America on 19th October, Australia on 21st of October and across Europe on October 22nd 2010 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.

Activision has today revealed plenty of the details of some of the "warriors" featued within Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.

Join us after the jump for information and art for characters such as Axel Steel, Casey Lynch and Judy Nails.

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Microsoft has announced a new version of the Xbox 360 controller with a configurable d-pad which switches between a cross and a disk.

The controller also features grey face buttons on concave sticks.

The new controller will hit the US market first - November 9th for $64.99. Europe will have to wait until the new year.

After the jump we've more details and images:

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Mafia II is this week's best selling game in the UK. Last week's chart topper - Kane & Lynch 2 has been pushed down to second place.

In fact it's the fastest selling here since the release of Red Dead Redemption.

Full rundown after the jump:

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There's nothing like a public holiday for burying bad news. And Microsoft seems to be attempting that here in the UK with the news that it's making a mean spirited price hike to the Xbox Live service.

The price hike affects the US, UK, Mexico and Canada and is detailed below:

You've got to wonder if someone at Microsoft has been drinking too much bong-water, the current Xbox Live prices were at the top of the scale of what seemed reasonable already.

Source: Major Nelson

As the name suggests, the hardcore armour effects really are something you'll see hardcore Halo: Reach players being able to earn.

After all - you have to be pretty hardcore to sit through hundreds of hours of ignorant racist smack talk by pre-pubescent mid-westerners.

There will be four hardcore armour effects at the game's launch, with more to follow later.

Check out the details from Bungie after the jump:

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Rockstar Games has just sent word that a new DLC package is to be released for Red Dead Redemption.

The new pack combines an expansion of the free roam multiplayer experience with a new competitive mode and a devastating new weapon – The Explosive Rifle.

The Liars And Cheats Pack will be available from 21st September on PSN (£7.99) and Xbox Live (800 Microsoft points).

Check out the full announcement after the jump;

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Yesterday I was invited over to Electronic Arts to play NBA Elite 11. I used to be quite a fan of basketball games but I grew bored of their lack of evolution and more importantly player involvement.

Can EA Sports turn around the malaise in the genre and create a basketball game that will appeal to gamers who may not be fans of the sport?

Well, let's see...

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Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game launch trailer. The game is now out on the Playstation Network and on the Xbox Live Marketplace.

What's new in your local games store today? Well not a whole lot - but there is Mafia II. The game has received some mixed reviews buy the word on the street is that many of these reviews have been too harsh - just as they were with the first game.

XBOX 360
Mafia II

PLAYSTATION 3
Mafia II

WII
10 Minute Solution
Gormiti
Gunblade NY and LA Machineguns Arcade
Rayman Rabbids Party Collection

PC
Mafia II
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Radioactive Edition

DS
Gormiti

Namco Bandai has a tasty Collector's Edition of Enslaved: Odyssey to the West lined up.

The package includes a hard-backed artbook and original soundtrack on CD. The game is set for release in Europe on October 8th.

Meanwhile there's been no announcement of a Collector's Edition yet for the North American launch on October 5th.

Check out the full press release after the jump:

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EA Sports has released a short video which shows how the stamina and fatigue attributes have an effect on player abilities in the forthcoming football game.

Check it out after the jump:

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I know what you're thinking - "Harry you've done bugger-all work today while Adam has been the only one posting on the site."

Partly true folks, but only partly.

I spent much of the day travelling to and from Electronic Arts HQ. I went along to chat to Producer Nick Channon and play NBA Elite 11. The new game is mighty impressive and I'll tell you all about it later this week.

But for now it's time to open a cold one.