This spring, gamers can take their hockey game on the road and play anytime, anywhere with Gretzky NHL for the PSP handheld entertainment system. Officially licensed by the NHL and NHLPA, Gretzky NHL for the PSP features fast-paced skating, precision passing, bone-jarring checks and players that convey the power and emotion of their sport.

Magic Hat Software has announced its new MMORPG Irth Online, scheduled for release in 2Q05, will use SpeedTree, the real-time foliage rendering technology from Interactive Data Visualization.

Bringing its heritage of being the definitive cricket game series, Brian Lara International Cricket comes ten years after Codemasters launched the original Brian Lara game and over five years since the series appeared on any platform. Brian Lara returns to game screens this summer in Brian Lara International Cricket for PS2, Xbox and PC.

NIS America Inc. announced today its plans to release Makai Kingdom for the PS2, and is scheduled for July 2005. Makai Kingdom is an RPG on which you take on the role of Lord Zetta to command an army of determined fighters to reclaim what has righteously been his, the netherworld. Battle enemies ranging from vicious demons to determined soldiers with both modern and ancient warfare, slash your enemies with the good old broadsword or blast your way through with the deadly rocket launcher; the choices are yours.

Activision has released a new patch for Creative Assembly's 3D RTS Rome: Total War. This update brings your retail game to v1.2 and includes improved performance, single player improvements and multiplayer connectivity updates. The 1.2 patch will be required to play games online. Read more for download links...

Rocking the horror genre with its new action-horror release, Cold Fear, Ubisoft today announced that Marilyn Manson's song "Use Your Fist and Not Your Mouth" headlines the in-game soundtrack. Manson's edgy track sets the stage for the trouble that awaits lead character Tom Hansen as he arrives on the violently rocking ship's bloodstained decks.

Konami America has released a demo for the North American edition of its soccer game Pro Evolution Soccer 4, aka Winning Eleven 8. This version of the demo adds the possibility of playing as the USA in addition to England, Sweden, Spain, Italy. Read more for download links ...

Namco announced today it has partnered with Hori U.S.A. to offer a limited edition TEKKEN 5 premium bundle set to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the fighting franchise. The bundle will retail for $99.99 and include a copy of the game, a Hori customized peripheral and a special six-disc collectors DVD case for storage of all games in the TEKKEN franchise. TEKKEN 5 and its limited edition premium bundle will be available in stores in Q1 2005.

After much secrecy and the successful dodging of various infiltration attempts, developer and publisher Paradox Interactive finally revealed today that their next title under development is Diplomacy! Hailed as one of the best board games in the world, Diplomacy is being developed on a new engine that will cater for classical board game features as well as new fresh ideas based on the approved game design.

SCEA announced today the North American launch details for its highly anticipated PSP. Available through retail outlets on March 24, the company continues its consumer-centric legacy with the release of the PSP Value Pack for a suggested retail price of $249.99 U.S./$299.99 CND. REad more for details and list of PSP launch titles