E3 is next week, so be on the lookout for a complete Peep Game dedicated to the news extravaganza and conference. This isn’t to say that this week isn’t exciting.

With news reports on sleeper Mirror’s Edge, a karaoke game called Lips, Rock Band 2 and a couple of trailers featuring everyone’s favorite hedgehog and psychologically deranged cop, and there is a little something for everybody.

Past that, there is a special Played and Pre-Order focusing on Soul Calibur IV.

For our weekly readers, you can tell how much we are anticipating this based on just the amount we report on it, (shout out to the IC’s Jenetix…looking for that rematch), and the fact that the first frenzied video from Gamer's Studio was a crazy matchup of Soul Calibur III.

Interested? We’re keeping that footage for the Peep Game special. For now, you have plenty to read. Let’s get to it.

Big News

Mirror’s Edge – Game of the Year Candidate?

To be honest, I have been a fan of this game since getting wind of it last year. It seems to be a genre shattering experience in the making. The lead character is a journalist named Faith, whose main weapons are her agility and knowledge of the backstreets.

Now with actual play tests and visuals coming in, the game looks just as advertised. More news is assured to be coming out about it during E3, but if you have been sleeping, here is a trailer:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N1TJP1cxmo

Xbox 360 Price Cut

It’s all but official. Target is now listing the XBOX 360 Pro units at $299, which is dangerously close to the Nintendo Wii industry low $250. Just in time for E3, and the likely slew of first party games that will be announced (Gears of War 2) and preannounced ( Fable 2, Too Human ) to garner some excitement.

Lips – The 360 Karaoke experience

Microsoft is trying to cash in on the ever-so-popular musical recreation genre with their new karaoke game, Lips. Sounds farfetched, but it’s actually a real game, already in production. Your goal is to mimic some of your favorite songs, much like a karaoke night, minus the binge drinking.

Coming with it is a wireless mic that has glowing LED’s to measure your progress. Not much is known at this point; expect more news to come out during E3.

Rock Band 2 - Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing, Baby!

Rock Band is an experience no doubt. Getting your friends and mashing on the controllers on expert can make you feel like bona fied rock stars. But, what if the instruments were real? According to PS3 Fanboy, that is what Rock Band 2 Developer Harmonix & Instrument “Developer” Ion will be releasing - a drum kit that will have pads and cymbals. Not just that, there is word that Harmonix may be working on getting some actual guitars and turning them into controllers for the games. Insane.

It isn’t all gravy though. There is a lawsuit pending against Harmonix from Konami because they are “simulating musical instruments.” This may not be as frivolous, as main competitor Activision actually went to Konami and got the licensing to avoid this. More on this as it develops.

Playstation 3 Changes? According to Wal-Mart…

According to Wal-Mart and Engadget, they are going to stop stocking the Playstation 3 40 GB’s for something new. I don’t believe this means the end of the 40 GB, more so news that will be confirmed at E3 - that all Playstation 3 models will be attached with the DualShock3, instead of the three-ounce-soaking-wet SIXAXIS.

Wii Keyboard – Logic 3

For those who don’t like simply hooking up your USB keyboard to your Wii, Logic 3 has a solution for you. It’s an small add-on that will seem really convenient if your stuck on your Smartphone (journalists/ business professionals…you’d already feel at home here) as it uses its design, and its size to add on to your Nintendo Wii. Problem is, it comes out across the pond in the UK. The price point is £14.99, or about 30 duckets American.

Trailers! Max Payne and Sonic Unleashed

Max Payne, Rockstar’s other other franchise, has a decent cult following. Because of it, it will be the first franchise from Take Two’s savior to get a movie. Quite deserving of it, its neo-noir feel provides for quite the captivating story, starring rapper-turned-actor Mark Wahlberg. Slated to hit theaters October 8, this may be one to watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JboQmDIdKWs

Sonic Unleashed is the next game to try to break from the shadow of the last great Sonic adventure…aptly named Sonic Adventure. People were excited to see that it took Sonic back to his roots, blurring speed and breathtaking acrobatics. Hopefully it won’t come with the slowdown and awkward camera angles that seem to plague the series over the last few years.

Algol Joins Soul Calibur IV Roster

Whispers of this appearance are now confirmed. Character designer Hideo Yoshie said, “He was the strongest character ever in the SC series.” He processes the Soul Edge and the Soul Calibur, wielding them both at once. He also has 10 other weapons built into him and can fly. The only thing I can say is, the bigger they are the harder they fall. Ha!

Played

SoulBlade

Platform: PSX

Developer: Namco

Originally Released: November 17, 1997

“A battle of soul and swords…” It’s opening statement that breeds intrigue. What most people didn’t know then, but know now, is that it would be opening phrase for a series that had captivated the fighting game genre and would still be held relevant six games in the series.

Everything must start with a first step, and SoulBlade may have been a leap. It brought over the concept of weapons based fighting, something that had been relatively rare this side of the Pacific, with characters who were quite endearing. It introduced us to Mitsurugi, Voldo, Taki, Siegfried and the crew, and was just a very solid fighter, that had a wide variety of playing styles and some balance.

For those looking for a trip back, this one may be one you have to dig for. Its very rare for a store to carry around PSX games anymore, which means rolling the dice on Ebay or hoping a friend has it stashed somewhere in the back of his game room. If you do have it stashed, take a moment and revisit this one. Who knows? You just may find yourself having some fun.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxrpyv8SNS4

Pre- Order

Soul Calibur IV

Platform: PS3, Xbox 360

Developer: Project Soul

Release Date: July 25, 2008

Soul Caliber IV, the aforementioned sixth game of that series of soul and swords. With each piece of news coming in about this title, it begins to get that much more anticipated. Surely to bring even more fire to the doors of E3 this year, Soul Calibur IV may be in a class above with another miscounted IV game (Street Fighter IV) in a year that will bring us a ton of fighting games.

If you don’t read this column usually, here is some visual treats that will be sure to get you on the Soul Calibur bandwagon like we are. A Peep Game special is forthcoming about the franchise, which will chronicle its beginnings with Soul Blade, and bring those who haven’t played it up to speed on just how great this series is. For now though, just enjoy the trailer.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar8gE1xXjBM