Looks like SEGA and Take-Two Interactive are getting serious about their sports line-up. Tomorrow is the big test as ESPN NFL 2K5 is available across the US and will no doubt be their best-selling sports title. The game has been scoring phenomenaly across the board, currently maintaining a 96% rating at GameRankings and with IGN crowning it the best $20 game of all-time. Will the same be said about the NHL and NBA releases? This slugfest between SEGA and EA Sports is just too entertaining and too rewarding for us sports-loving gamers. In other news, it's cool to see both Katamari Damacy coming to the states and Nokia getting competitive with its N-Gage. Both products deserve a chance and I hope gamers approach them with open minds. Look past the Japanese roots of Katamari and forget the history of the N-Gage; lets just try to enjoy them for what they are.

	ESPN NHL and NBA 2K5 Get $19.99 Price Tag Online retailer EBgames.com has announced that they will be selling the 2K5 iterations of ESPN's NHL and NBA console titles for the same low price of NFL 2K5: $19.99. Although it was made clear last month that NFL 2K5 would get the special pricing, neither Take-Two nor Visual Concepts confirmed that the other sport titles would receive the same treatment. When asked by GameSpot about today's price drops, a Visual Concepts rep replied that there "will be an announcement soon."
	Katamari Damacy Officially US-bound Namco exclusively confirmed to IGN that the suprise Japanese hit, Katamari Damacy, will indeed arrive on US shores this September. VP of R&D, Rod Nakamoto, described the game as "Eccentric, quirky, weird, goofy, wild, outrageous, addictive, intriguing, charismatic and captivating -- they all apply. There are many words to describe Katamari Damacy -- and the most important one is fun." The article also links to their impressions and screenshots of the game.
	EBgames to Offer N-Gage QD at $99 T-Mobile and EBgames have joined forces to launch the upgraded version of Nokia's gaming handheld/cell phone hybrid, the N-Gage QD, at the competitive price point of $99. The QD typically costs $199, but if you sign a one-year contract with T-Mobile, EBgames will offer an instant $100 rebate. The deal will only be available at physical EBgames locations, meaning EBgames.com will not support the offer (yet).
	Another Final Fantasy VII Spin-Off? IGN has taken a look at the latest issue of Japanese magazine V-Jump and found a tidbit worth noting. The magazine hints at another project outside of the cell phone and DVD starring "that character," which points to what appears to be a shadow of Vincent Valentine. No details on what shape this project will take, but it's definitely interesting to see the universe Square-Enix is creating with that particular Final Fantasy property.
	Rayman 4 in the Works 1up did some snooping around on the Ubisoft forums and discovered that a fourth outing for Rayman has been in the works since 2003. Details were sparse, but it was hinted that this will be the final adventure for Rayman and it should delve deep into the character's history. The game will be ready "before 2007."
	Pokemon Emerald GBA SP In what's becoming a daily announcement, Nintendo has revealed plans to produce a special version of its GBA SP platform. To launch in conjunction with the release of Pokemon Emerald, the device will sport an emerald-green color with a silhouette of the Rayquaza pokemon on the top half of the clamshell. Available online only in Japan, the special edition costs the same as a standard version. No word if the US will ever see this themed GBA SP.
	New Street Fighter Toys Toymaker SOTA Toys has announced they've released the figures in their Series 2 of Street Fighter collectible toys. Retailing for $12.99, the figures feature thirty points of articulation and consists of five characters: T-Hawk, Cammy, Ken, Vega, and Blanka. A photo is included in the article.
	Misc. Media/Previews
	We begin with EuroGamer who has a first impression of the EyeToy game Sega SuperStars. IGN follows with new shots of Astro Boy and Spectral Force: Radical Elements. They also have a huge preview of the PS2 version of Viewtiful Joe. The latest official trailer of Sly 2: Band of Thieves and images of Devil May Cry 3 can be found at GameSpot this evening.
	Three new shots of Jade Empire are available courtesy of IGN. 1up previews Conker: Live and Reloaded. TeamXbox updates with new screens of Kameo: Elements of Power.
	Six new shots of WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw at GameSpot. IGN tells us their impressions of the Pokemon Box: Ruby & Sapphire, available only on the Pokemon Center website or physical store.
	GameSpot has the first official movies for two titles: Asphalt (NG) and Sticky Balls (PSP).
	Game Informer does a "movie blowout" with ESPN NFL 2K5, which can be found now in certain areas of the US. GameSpot gives us a first look at Tony Hawk's Underground 2, videos of Milo and the Rainbow Nasties, Johnny Whatever, and Burnout 3: Takedown, each for PS2, Xbox, and GCN. They also delivers screens for Red Ninja: End of Honor (PS2, Xbox). IGN has a new video of Mortal Kombat: Deception (PS2, Xbox), images of Forgotten Realm: Demon Stone (PS2, Xbox), and new shots of Madden NFL 2005 (PS2, Xbox, GCN).