Boxed Up Briefs

Guitar Hero Encore keeps Rocking the 80s, Turns Japanese

The PRP reports six more tracks from Harmonix's upcoming Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80s (PS2) have been revealed via preorder boxes. The songs include Anthrax's "Caught In A Mosh," Iron Maiden's "Wrathchild," .38 Special's "Hold on Loosely," White Lion's "Radar Love," Scorpions' "No One Like You," The Vapors' "Turning Japanese," and Winger's "Seventeen."

A representative from publisher RedOctance was unable to confirm the tracks or provide further details as to whether the songs would be covers or the original masters, only noting that, "an announcement will be made shortly in regards to additional songs in the game." Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s is slated to hit stores later this summer.

Classic Prince of Persia leaps onto Xbox Live Arcade

Ubisoft and Microsoft today announced that Gameloft's modern remake of Jordan Mechner's original Prince of Persia will arrive on Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday. Priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10), Prince of Persia Classic adds enhanced visuals, animations and some new puzzles to the mix while retaining the original's 2D perspective and most of its level design.

Virtual Console drops a Lode, finds Sonic and Golden Axe sequels

Three more titles were added to the Wii's Virtual Console service today. Priced at 500 Wii Points ($5), Hudson Soft and Broderbund Software's NES action-puzzler Lode Runner finally arrives only a month and a half after the multiplayer-centric Battle Lode Runner. A double dose of sequels also hit with the appearance of Sonic Team and Sega Technical Institute's iconic platfomer Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sega's beat'em up Golden Axe II, both of which sell for 800 Wii Points ($8).

In celebration of the two sequels, check back later this week for a double dose of Shack's Wii Virtual Console reviews, including looks at this week's releases as well our belated thoughts on last week's crop.

CDV gets all Tarr-y

Publisher CDV Software Entertainment USA will be bringing Quazar Studio and Akella's Tarr Chronices, a space-based sci-fi dogfighting game for the PC, to North America in September of this year.

Sony joins the web 2.0 blogosphere revolution

Sony Computer Entertainment America joined Microsoft and the majority of teenagers worldwide in their fascination with the blogosphere. The site, blog.us.playstation.com, promises to be updated by "the people inside SCEA who are working, thinking and playing with this stuff everyday."