Mastiff announced that Reload, the company’s guns and tactics simulator, is now available for the iPhone, the iPad and the iPod Touch for just $2.99. Reload will arrive on the Android platform later this year.

Reload features guns and equipment from Remington, Magnum Research, Champion, and Wiley X Eyewear. The now-mobile title puts players in the role of soldiers, law enforcement officers, and exhibition shooters as they train for everything from hostage rescue, V.I.P. protection, and more.

Reload offers:

• 17 levels, custom built for iPhone and iPad.
• Some of the greatest firearms ever made, including the Remington Model 1100 Tac4 and the Modular Sniper Rifle (MSR), Desert Eagle pistols, the M249 and the AK-47.
• 100+ medals, achievements, badges.
• 2-4 hot seat multiplayer. Up to 4 players can take turns on a single level on one phone to see who can get the highest score.
• Facebook, Twitter, the iPhone Game Center, online leaderboards, and achievements integration via OpenFeint.

Yes, our hero sparkles. But only when he's powered up and ready to slaughter.

When you’re a video game developer named Super Awesome Hyper-Dimensional Mega Team, you have a high standard to maintain for two reasons. One, the name rocks, speaking to the inner nerd that drives our love of the hobby. Two, your ranks consist of people that have worked on Plants vs. Zombies, Worms, Vin Diesel´s Wheelman, Terminator, Crush, Buzz, EyeToy Play series and Doodle Hex, and other video games. I’ll leave it up to you, the reader, to determine which aspect holds the most weight.

Fortunately, no matter your leaning, you’ll have a blast with Super Awesome Hyper-Dimensional Mega Team’s Pro Zombie Soccer Apocalypse Edition for the Apple iPad. This quirky title, published by Chillingo, is one part sports game, one part tower defense, and one part shmup. Pro Zombie Soccer Apocalypse Edition may be a video game that’s difficult to place into a definitive category, but it’s a fun and addictive diversion that’s worth the price of admission. I’m taking a look at the free version, but there’s also a full version available for just a buck.

The story: A stellar soccer player named Jax is sulking in his emo-ness for not making the school’s footie team,  when he’s assaulted and bitten by a roving band of undead. Now knowing the the true sadness that comes when one meets a zombie’s munch, Jax decides to put his abilities to a good cause by defending his town from the lurchers–before he transforms into one himself. That’s just the type of guy he is.

Pictured: Emo-ness.

Pro Soccer Zombie: Apocalypse Edition puts gamers in charge of our lone hero as he takes to the streets with just pluckiness and a soccer ball. The virtual D-pad located in the mid-left portion of the screen is the input device that you’ll use most often–you use it to aim the direction of Jax’ soccer ball attacks. Zombies wander onscreen at various speeds; some sprint, some lurch, some burrow. Their movement variety matches their visual diversity, as there’s a good mix of male and female, skinny, fat, all with a wide array of outfits. Most zombies can be killed with a swift kick to any body section, but a few that demand headshots to be brought down. You can rapidly fire off low-damage shots, or adopt a slower, but more powerful, pace.

There are a number of power-ups available to mix things up a bit and keep gameplay fresh. The Lightning Ball slows down zombie movement while increasing ball speed; Piercing Ball causes the soccer ball to slice through hordes of undead like a hot knife through butter; and the Angry Military Satellite lets you target zombies with a crosshair using the accelerometer and then fire orbital lasers to zap the enemy. You get all of these items very early in the game.

The Angry Military Satellite is your friend.

Besides the on-foot action, Jax hops on a hoverbike outfitted with a wicked cannon designed for carnage. In these stages, the game transforms into a horizontal shmup that see you using the iPad’s accelerometer to move crosshairs over baddies in order to blast them. There are areas that require to shoot anything that moves, and trickier ones that demand you shoot the undead that appear amongst crowds of fleeing humans. It takes a bit a practice to move the crosshair with accuracy–I died quite a few times–but most should grow acclimated in a few minutes’ time.

The 2D graphics are simple, but impressive. Both Jax and the zombies are well-animated, and they remain so even when there are dozens of sprites on screen at once.  The varied backgrounds are equally impressive, as are the in-action cutscenes that occur when you unleash a super move. The Badolato soundtrack is suitably metal for the zombie-killing action.

Boom goes the dynamite!

iPad gamers in search of a title that’s as easy to pick up as Plants vs. Zombies HD (and just as engaging) will find a lot to like in Pro Zombie Soccer: Apocalypse Edition. It merges fast action, varied gameplay, and charming 2D graphics into a title that’s a more than worthy download.

Nintendo made several long-awaited announcements about its upcoming Nintendo 3DS handheld system, and with them came news from third parties regarding their plans to support the Big N’s latest portable. Capcom was amongst them.

Capcom revealed that its beloved Super Street Fighter IV will receive the 3D treatment, and will serve as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS–a move that’s sure to nab a portion of the hardcore fighting crowd. Packed with 35 playable characters, new modes including online/local Wi-Fi multiplayer), a collectible Figurine mode where 3DS units automatically battle via Street Pass, a 3D over-the-shoulder camera and customizable Simple and Pro Controls, the one-on-one brawling experience now rests in palm of your hands.

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D features players competing globally for the highest undead body count. Arriving this summer, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D will include new missions set in the Resident Evil 4 an Resident Evil 5 universes. The game will utilize Wi-Fi connectivity to let gamers from around the world to join forces in co-op zombie-blasting.

An intriguing pair from Capcom, for certain. Look for hands-on impressions coming soon.

Today Electronic Arts revealed a new gameplay trailer for MicroBot, the upcoming action arcade shooter that takes players inside the world of the human body.  MicroBot provides players the unique challenge of controlling a microscopic robot—a MicroBot—on a mission to destroy a biotechnological infestation as they battle through blood, bone and beyond.   The new video reveals more of MicroBot than ever before, with combat footage, shots of co-op gameplay in action, and even a quick preview of one of the bosses who will try to stand in the way of your microscopic mission.

Gamers can look forward to controlling and customizing their very own MicroBot in Winter 2010-11 on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The new arcade-style shooter, which will be available Winter 2011 on Xbox Live® Arcade and PlayStation® Network, challenges gamers to control a microscopic ship—a MicroBot—on a mission to destroy a biotechnological infestation.

MicroHexon Research has invented a transformative medical technology: autonomous nanotech machines that are no larger than a blood cell. When injected into the body they target and eliminate diseases at the cellular level. However, something has gone dangerously awry. The nanomachines have bonded to the diseased cells and are now multiplying inside the body at an exponential rate. Piloting a new prototype MicroBot, players must seek and destroy the infection before it consumes the human host from the inside.

In MicroBot, players battle malicious enemies as they travel through veins, bones, lungs and brain. The rhythms and fluids of the human body create a dynamic environment that affects movement and gameplay, providing both combat advantages and additional hazards to overcome. Just as each human body is unique, MicroBot dynamically creates new levels to ensure that the challenge is different every time gamers play.

As players eradicate the biotechnological infestation, they will harvest data fragments which allow them to unlock over 20 pieces of upgradable microtechnology. Using this newly acquired technology, players can strategically customize their MicroBot with powerful weapons, defensive systems, movement parts, and special abilities. With millions of possible configurations, players can build a MicroBot to suit any style of play.

Players can take on the infection together by teaming up in a cooperative drop-in/drop-out multiplayer experience. Not only will players battle side-by-side, but they can also upgrade their MicroBots simultaneously in the innovative co-op editor, where they work together to create the ultimate MicroBot team.

Below you can check out the debut teaser trailer for MicroBot but check back regularly with us for more media and any updates from EA.

Click here to view the embedded video.

You can’t take a trip to a local watering hole without catching eye of someone shooting virtual deer with with a replica rifle. If you’re a dedicated gamer like me, you’ve probably given those games a go and never returned as they lack a certain challenge and dynamic that captures the heart of the hardcore. Cabela’s Dangeorus Hunts 2011 is not this type of hunting video game.

Developed by Cauldron and published by Activision, Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011 puts players in the role of sharpshooter Cole Rainsford, who has joined his estranged father on an African safari to hunt wolves, grizzlies, jackals, lions, crocs, and warthogs that have terrorized villages. The heroes-to-be soon find themselves in a world of hurt when they become stranded in the wild. Fortunately, the duo have come strapped.

Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011 pumps new life into the hunting genre with the Top Shot Elite wireless hunting controller, the first of its kind virtual gun developed by the team at Activision that created the guitar controllers for the Guitar Hero franchise. The Top Shote Elite PS3 and Xbpx 360 wireless controllers include a sensor bar and high-sensitivity camera, while the Wii version integrates the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. The scope includes a red lens filter that gives players sight beyond sight, exposing hidden animal tracks and blood trails, and features pump-action reload and an adjustable stock. Bad ass. Even better, two players can get in on the action (either head-to-head or play cooperatively) on a single screen–no eye-straining split screen.

Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011 hits the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, and DS on October 26th. You game?

Click here to view the embedded video.

TimeWasters  highlights many of the excellent Web-based/lightweight downloadable titles that you can dive into within the space of a lunch break. This week, Chris Gampat explores Flaming Zombooka.

If you’re a fan of blowing up zombies, then you’ll probably love Flaming Zombooka. As a game that pays homage to both zombie games and a little bit of Duke Nukem, cubicle slaves will finally be able to take their rage out on zombies Shaun of the Dead-style–but this time with a bazooka!

Flaming Zombooka is a game that requires a bit of thinking, observation, estimation, and a love of OMGWTFBBQing zombies.  As you may have suspected, the main point of the game is to kill zombies. At first, that task is fairly simple to accomplish, but steadily becomes more (and then extremely) complicated.

The game progresses in levels which will actually go by very quickly if players are persistent. Just when  you think you’ve mastered the levels by launching rockets at zombies while screaming, “BOOM HEADSHOT!”, you’ll suddenly be forced to bounce rockets off different areas (and at exact angles) with enough firepower to hit their intended targets.

Flaming Zombookas only requires the mouse to operate. Moving it around the screen aims your soldier’s gun. Bringing the pointer closer to the solider lessens the strength of the rocket, and vice versa. While the concept has been done many times over and over again, it hasn’t been done effectively with zombies yet, or with a combination of puzzle tactics. On top of all this, one needs to kill all zombies with a limited number of rockets or else they fail the level. Don’t worry too much though, because you will get another try.

On a personal note, I really wish that my solider was allowed to move himself at certain points, or that the zombies did try to fight back. It would’ve made the game even more challenging and much more fun.

While the gameplay is pretty good, the sound scheme is almost laughable. There is no real music per se, but there are these weird rocket launching sounds, zombie sounds. and innocent civilian sounds if you hit them (I won’t say anything more about that, you’ll have to get to the harder levels to see for yourself.) This game could’ve used a much better sound scheme: perhaps some 80′s death metal, or just some posers trying to pull it off. It’s just very weird to be firing a rocket and hear the equivalent of someone smacking a ball in ping-pong.

The graphics are nothing special for a flash game, but that is very excusable when most of the emphasis is based on the puzzle style of gamepaly involved in pwning the zombies.

Either way, if you want to take some time off from Left 4 Dead, then try out Flaming Zombookas.

By all means, The 8-bit Left 4 Dead de-make that arrived in January should’ve been a one-off, but it turns out that more than one person likes the idea of taking a high-end 3D title and cramming it into a 2D field.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 fans will find that the 2D version rings familiar. For the most part, everything from the original game is in here: even those fast-paced chase sequences. Available as a free download (PC only), 2D Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is worth the 10 mins or longer that you’ll spend wasting your life.

The controls for COD 2D are simple: W, S, A, and D make your character jump, do nothing, move left and move right accordingly. Then there are your guns: you get an assault rifle, riot shield, RPG, flamethrower, duel pistols, and a semi auto shotgun. These are controlled using the number keys. Additionally, throwing grenades can be done by pressing the G button. Lastly, the mouse controls where you fire your gun, which gives the game the a FPS feel, even if the game doesn’t look like it.

In fact, the game looks largely like a sidescroller illustrated by a 10 year old. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but when you see baddies or tanks blow up in an exaggerated fashion you may not be able to help laughing as it is just so ridiculous. Some of the graphics actually seem pretty cool though. For example, a lot of the levels where you are being chased look a bit like a primitive version of a SNES Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game, or like those Stick Figure Flash games.  The bottom line is that you should not expect the high dynamic range and beautiful 60 fps  glory of the 3D Call of Duty games. In fact, it’s probably best not to expect much in terms of graphics overall.

The game’s music and sounds are much more pleasing than the graphics. The music sounds like the tunes that you’d hear in the regular Call of Duty, and the weapons all have great FX attached to them. Actually, this game is best played with headphones on to give you a more immersive experience.

The gameplay is very straightforward, but very challenging. For example, ensuring that Makarov (one of the main villians who made his way into the 2D world) doesn’t escape requires you to lead an RPG missile across the screen until you catch up to him. The chase sequences are very confusing though because these are done in a top down perspective. Additionally, there is a whole load of dodging that needs to be done. You need to dodge obstacles and outrun people chasing you. This also requires shooting at them, so your attention gets divided quite a bit.

As far as weapons go, you really only find yourself using the assault rifle, RPG, and grenades for a majority of the game. The duel pistols come in handy during the chases. There is almost no reason to ever whip out the riot shield. The flamethrower is extremely fun to use: then again, they are in any game.

Players won’t feel the emotional connection to the characters that they did in the console version. The reason for this is because of the lack of cut scenes and dialogue. You simply are just thrust right into the game instead of having to go through those sections. For players looking to just play, this is fine. For players looking for a story, look elsewhere.

There was one part that I couldn’t get past: it’s the chopper sequence. Thankfully, I just went back to the main menu and skipped it to go onto the next part of the game. This is a welcome addition to casual players that may find it too hard a game to play.

Perhaps playing through the parts you can’t get through allows for the replayability factor. Truthfully, you probably won’t care to do so though. This is, after all a 16MB download. That isn’t to say that good things can’t come in small packages; or downloads.

There is no multiplayer ability or crossplayer either, so you can’t pwn noobs with duel shotguns or throw knives at them and have the entire server scream epic win. For people that get pwn3d often, this may be a welcome change. For the others, keep throwing those knives.

This is actually a saddening part of the game: the fact that knives were kept out of the game. Everyone loves using knives. In my time playing the game, I didn’t encounter the knife except at the end of the game. The entire game was completed in addition to searching for Easter eggs.

Overall, the 2D Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is solid, but somewhat empty, experience. It naturally doesn’t compare to it’s full-sized big brother, but If you want to give it a try, it won’t hurt to keep it open during class or at work.

One of the most difficult and time consuming activites that a website editor does on a daily basis is tackle the press release beast. I, for example, receive dozens of very similar-sounding games and gaming accessory pitches in my inbox, with one being barely distinguishable from the next. Bank Run is not one of those games.

Bank Run is the unique combination of online interactive film plus iPhone game. There are two parts to the game. Part one is available online at BankRunGame, where players are able to watch and interact with the storyline by making key decisions for your character. In addition to these vital decision points, there is an additional level of gameplay in the online version called “playable moments”, where you’ll have to react quickly and use your keyboard to help your character survive. It sounds very Dragon’s Lair-like in description. At the end of this section of the game, you’ll encounter a cliffhanger which will prompt to you continue your adventure on your iPhone.

Yes, your iPhone. The game features two different shooters: a 2D, side-scrolling game and an over-the-shoulder 3D-person shooter. As you complete levels, more of the story is revealed until you reach the conclusion. After the final scene, players are given a secret code that allows them to go back online, enter the code and see a bonus scene. Full circle! Developer SilkTricky also includes an infinite arcade mode for added playability.