After seeing the 3D Realms E3 video, I was convinced that nothing could ever top the power of the dancing logo. I was wrong. Take one part dancing logo, smash together with a heavy metal soundtrack, add a huge pile of new features to classic Duke, and then pimp its nearly imminent release for download. If that sounds like the gates to happy kingdom you better get some points right quick. Duke Nukem 3D will release on September 24th. You've got a week to prepare yourself for classic Duke on steroids. (Is that redundant?)

8-player Xbox Live multiplayer, death prevention through time manipulation, user clip sharing...I might actually have to purchase this game. Anyone else?

[via 3D Realms, thanks sumhydroponic and internets]

[Update]: It appears Duke is going solo this week and comes in at 800 MSP.

Telling me about how much fun your game will be is one thing.  Showing me however, leaves a much more lasting impression.  And that is just what Twisted Pixel has done regarding their upcoming XBLA game The Maw.  Aliens + Kameo-style transforming powers + solid music = expectations raised.

And they've got reason to flaunt it since they were just chosen as a finalist for the PAX 10.  And I heard somewhere that the guys from Penny Arcade know a tad about games.  Check out the official trailer here and then check out the other games vying for the coveted "Audience Choice Award" at this year's PAX.

Short Press Release after the break.

Perhaps with all the talk (and crazy videos) surrounding Ninja Gaiden 2, you have forgotten that the pirate following should not be taken lightly.  Sure ninjas move faster than you can see but who wants to pick a fight with a peg leg, a hook, and a nasty set of teeth?  Not me.  But, I digress.

Pirates and real-time strategy get a mashup in Plunder, the Pirate-themed RTS game from Certain Affinity and Capcom.  (See what I did there?)  To dig deeper you can head over to IGN for a preview, but before you go check out the gameplay footage below.

To get you pumped up (and presumably to get encourage you to open your wallet) Sierra Online has released two more videos for Assault Heroes 2.  Both feature previews of many of the big bosses you'll be facing in the game.  You've got an out of control demolition crane, a robotic snake, and the ever-popular Mecha-Orca, among others.

Check 'em out and then let me know if you're a sucker like me and likely to spend some points next week.

(Second video after the break)

[via Gametrailers.com]

Reflexive Entertainment (creators of one of my personal favorties, Wik: Fable of Souls) can be seen discussing the joys of independent game development in the video clip from X-Play below.  And if you look closely you'll also get a look at Axiom Overdrive in action (albeit for a very short snip).  Take a look and let the speculation regarding this game's true nature recommence.

[via G4, thanks to Tony "Twitch" Barnes]

Beware Zanthue and his space menace!  Join the fight.  Transmit those deadly messages.  You are our last and only hope.  End transmission.

Capcom has got some new footage of Rocketmen: Axis of Evil up on the official site. It's definitely worth a look if you like the frantic action of a Smash TV, the weapons of a Contra, and the idea of 4-player co-op.

Rocketmen appears chock full of non-stop action and screens filled with bullets. Surely the game will look great on a nicely-sized HD screen but (with everything going on) I wonder how it will translate for the non-HD crowd. Opinions?

[via Capcom]

Waiting sucks. There I said it. Instead of waiting till Wednesday for Poker Smash you should just watch Destructoid's preview video and pretend that you're the one playing. You'll probably be stuck at your school/work/quilting circle during the day on Wednesday anyway. And who could survive the wait all the way to the evening? Not me, that's for sure. I'll probably stab myself with my needle. Um...I mean...

[via Destructoid]