GamePro Sports

This review seems to be a little late at entering the party, but we all know that that's when all the cool people arrive.

Need for Speed SHIFT is the franchise's first entry into the world of simulation racing. A virtual U-turn away from it's street racing predecessors. But, is it a new formula for success as they attempt to break away from their previous design? Not really. Those that yearn for a free roaming, story lined filled game won't find it here. Instead it's replaced by a sub par, not so simulation game.

Much more after the jump.

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• Need for Speed SHIFT
• Score: 2.50/5.0
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A brand new Forza 3 demo has finally hit the XBL Marketplace for Gold subscribers. This demo should satisfy the needs of fans as they race around the fictional track "Camino Viejo de Montserrat Circuit" and hit the virtual pavement with a selection of 5 cars.

What cars you ask? Here you go.

• 2007 Porsche #80 Flying Lizard 911 GT3-RSR
• 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro
• 2009 Ferrari California
• 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR
• 2009 Mini John Cooper Works

Sorry American car companies, none of your cars will be appearing in this demo.

More after the jump.

Even with the recent release of DiRT 2, the folks at Codemasters are still hard at work for their next racing title for the Nintendo Wii and Sony PSP, F1 2009.

In our last F1 2009 post, we got to take a look at the Circuit de Valencia in Spain. This time, we get to ride along with F1 commentator and Brawn GP test driver, Anthony Davidson, for a hot lap around the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, Italy. Which is actually the circuit that was raced in Formula 1 this past weekend. Even though it's only a preview for what's to come in F1 2010, it's obvious that they have worked at getting the track details down, and I'm looking forward to both games.

Codemasters decided to unload a ton of information regarding one of their next titles, Formula 1 2009. As you can see above, the Wii version is coming bundled with an F1 style "steering wheel" to simulate driving an F1 car, if it were invisible and weightless.

Moving on, the graphics aren't that great, but F1 2009 is being developed for the Wii and PSP. We can just consider this the little brother to the forthcoming next-gen version F1 2010 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. I'm already excited for this game as I haven't played a Formula 1 racing game since Super Monaco GP II on Sega Genesis, so the Wii version is already a huge upgrade for me.

This also marks the first release of an F1 game on multiplatforms since 2002 as Sony previously had exclusive rights to F1.

Check out the gallery for a few screens and hit the jump for the video.

Colin McRae: DiRT 2 is easily at the top of my list of games that I'm anticipating this year. I've been a fan of the series since it was called Colin McRae Rally and from what I've seen of Dirt 2 so far, I will continue being a fan.

This new gameplay video, along with an interview with the design manager, shows some of the new elements that should enhance the look and feel of the game. From the new lighting to the staggered starts, the game looks amazing. And, one of the best improvements has to be the staggered starts as that's how it's done at real rally events. It adds an additional element to the race by knowing that there are other cars on the course and the hazards that they may bring. Finally, it's more than just chasing down the numbers of a course time.

I only wish I could have went to  London for the special media event where this was filmed.

Video after the jump.

MX vs. ATV Reflex is looking to bring some added realism to the off-road franchise.  The game, which is scheduled for a holiday release, has two new features that should get off road racing fans very excited.

More after the jump

In this new DiRT 2 footage, we get to see a quick interview with, rally driver and DiRT 2 technical consultant, Ken Block as he plays through the upcoming title. Ken explains a few key points of rally racing and how it's been captured in DiRT 2. It should pump up everyone for the game as it steadily approaches it's release date of Sept. 8.

For those of you who aren't fans of rally racing or have never heard of Ken Block; I suggest that you head over to YouTube and search for "Ken Block" to be amazed.

Now, hit the jump for the video.

I put new in quotations, because this doesn't seem like something we haven't seen before. The stage and race is the same setup from the playable demo of DiRT 2 that was at this year's E3. Nothing really groundbreaking here, but it's still cool to watch. And, unlike E3 footage, it wasn't just filmed by a camera. There's not much to say about the trailer that you can't get from watching it yourself.

Here's the DiRT 2 Battersea rallycross trailer. And, don't forget to watch it in HD.

Last week I talked about the implications Sony’s new Playstation Eye controller might have on sports games based on a video of the presentation Sony held at E3. Two nights ago a different kind of presentation was held on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Some creepy looking Microsoft representative presented Project Natal to Jimmy and his guests (John Krazinsky and the main vampire dude from True Blood).

It was cool to get a look at people who weren’t Microsoft employees try Natal out because they have not been taught all the perfect ways to stand and move to hide any possible problems with the prototype. The result was a surprisingly insightful and funny segment.