Dancing games get a bad rap. Either they’re something likeDanceDanceRevolution,or they are something likeJust Dance. One is a hardcore score-based game that doesn’t ever look like real dancing, and one is a much easier motion-controlled party game that… doesn’t really look much like dance, either. Harmonix is stepping up, andDance Centralis its attempt to make a respectable dancing game. To quote CEO Alex Rigopulos: “Stepping on mats or posing with handheld controllers just doesn’t capture the spirit of dance....

And the 3DS game announcements just keep on coming! Level-5 has released this trailer forProfessor Layton and the Mask of Miracleand it looks delightful. But I wouldn’t expect anything else from the puzzle-loving gentleman. This time the tale seems to revolve around a carnival of some kind, which is always a wonderful place for a mystery to go down. I can’t help but wonder if the animated full-motion sequences will be presented in 3D on the handheld....

Screw Ubisoft’sbreathing simulator,Rare Breeds: Petuniaby bobblebrook is the most relaxing game I’ve ever had the opportunity to play (thanks,Reddit). This undoubtedly won’t be for everyone, but for those of you with an open mind, you’re in for a real treat. Since you can’t exactly tell what’s happening in the screengrab, allow me to explain.Rare Breedsis one of those sandbox-style flash games designed to make the hours fly by. You crossbreed flowers and listen to a soothing song....

GameStop isn’t the only place in your town — provided that it’s bustling or has less than three pawn shops — where you can nab a nifty pre-order item forUncharted 2: Among Thieves.Kotakurecently compiled quite the impressive list of different retailer offerings; most are good, but one seems just …odd. As wepreviously reported, GameStop’s bonus is a downloadable code for the “Revenge” multiplayer attribute — one of the last attributes fickle players will have to earn through normal play....

Capcom has releaseda fact sheetdetailingResident Evil 5, which contains mostly useless information. One point of note, however, is the confirmation of a March 13 worldwide release date on PS3 and Xbox 360. But you already knew that, so it’s not a point of note. Chris Redfield, protagonist of the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil: Code Veronica, returns* Chris is joined by new character Sheva Alomar, an African special agent tasked with investigating the epidemic* 2 player co-op online gameplay means that players are not alone in their fight against the horror lurking around every corner* Simultaneous global release date for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on June 03, 2025* New enemies bring new challenges: speed and intelligence make adversaries as dangerous singly as they are in groups....

Earlier in the month, ROM Hacker Xvirus demonstrated the potential for a fan translation patch for the sequel toRetro Game Challenge, long ago doomed never to escape Japan. While the patch was technically possible with Xvirus’ skills, he lacked a translator (a common issue currently plaguing two other in-progress patches from the hacker). I’m happy to report that some plucky folks have answered the call to help Xvirus push this project along....

Happy Friday, listeners. This week’s episode was made up entirely of your questions, so if it’s lame, it’s totallyyour fault. And if it’s awesome, then you should pat yourself on the back for being so good at coming up with interesting things for us to talk about. Also for being cute, because you are. Highlights this week include:

One of the great things about services like the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade are their abilities to expose indie titles that otherwise would’ve never seen.Limbo,Braid, andEveryday Shooterare just a few examples of games that have had an opportunity to shine on these platforms. Zeit²is about as indie as you can get. Developed by a group of college friends for a class project, the title began garnering some attention after their teacher (Osmosdeveloper Andy Nealen) encouraged them to show it off....

Rhythm Paradise, the Wii version ofRhythm Heaven, will be coming to the Wii this summer in Japan, says Nintendo’s Financial Results Briefing. Satoru Iwata said that he has played a near-final version of the game, adn that it never loses the uniqueness of the original. Ithinkthat’s a good thing. The single slide from the briefing, shown above, lets me know that we’ll still be doing silly things to the beat....

Remember that rumoredGuitar Hero: Red Hot Chili Peppers? Who needs it? Soon there will be a total of 28 playable Chili Peppers song on Harmonix’sRock Bandplatform. Eight more tracks are hitting theRock Bandstore on August 30, with three of them — “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie,” “Monarch of Roses,” and “Look Around” — from the band’s upcoming record,I’m With You. The pack is rounded out by some Chili Peppers classics like “Scar Tissue” and “Californication....

VG247 is reporting that its sources have indicated Sony has settled on a final name for its PlayStation 3 motion controller — “Arc.” While VG247 will only cite “concrete sources,” we suppose “Arc” is about as good as calling it the “Wand” or “Gem.” Or simply just referring to it as “Sony’s motion controller thing with the ball on top of it.” The controller is said to hit “this year,” but not likely the March release date that Sony Computer Entertainment CEO and chairman Kaz Hirai had pegged it for....

Ascaron slammed an armored foot on a few moreSacred 2: Fallen Angelbugs. The studio behind the infested action RPG released another patch — 2.43 — for the PC version of the game yesterday afternoon. In addition to squashing and tweaking annoying stuff, the patch includes an “undocumented change” that allows save files to be transferred over to theupcoming PC expansion pack, “Ice & Blood.” An Ascaron representative released the patch notes on the game’sofficial message boardand linked several download mirrors for the patch....

It’s like a non-fun version of Little Mac versus King Hippo. Genius Products And Numark Industries have filed a lawsuit against Activision and 7 Studios overScratch: The Ultimate DJ. The suit alleges that that “Activision has engaged in intentional interference with contract, breach of contract, conversion and misappropriation of trade secrets obtained from Genius to purchase 7 Studios.” But wait, that’s not all: the suit also alleges “that Activision and 7 Studios have conspired to withhold the current version of Scratch in an effort to delay the development and release of Scratch and to gain access to proprietary technology....