To celebrate the release of the freakish looking retail version of The Binding of Isaac – The Unholy Edition, Merge Games are running an exclusive competition. Simply like their Facebook page to gain a chance to ask the creator of The Binding Of Isaac (and part of Team Meat), Edmund Mcmillen a question, and win a retail copy of The Binding Of Isaac – The Unholy Edition (with a 40 page Devzine, DRM free Version, Free Steam Gifting Key Soundtrack and Poster).

Here’s the breakdown:

• Go to Merge Games Ltd Facebook page (here) and press “Like”
• Best 10 Questions will be chosen to Ask Edmund Mcmillen
• If your question is chosen, not only will Edmund be answering your question, but you will also win a copy of The Binding Of Isaac – The Unholy Edition

However, the action only starts once their Facebook page reaches their mystery “un-holy number” of followers. The competition will then go live and you can start submitting your questions. You will find further directions on the page, so tell your friends (and foes) and start liking!

To pre-order the game, head over here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00750FRQU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=niovte910-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00750FRQU

I’m pretty sure going free contributed a significant number to Jetpack Joyride‘s downloads numbers, but hey, there’s no point denying a good game when you see one. Halfbrick today announced at D.I.C.E Summit that their smash-hit iOS title, Jetpack Joyride, has reached the 13 million downloads milestone since going free-to-play (see, I was right).

Winner of TUAW’s “2011 Best App Ever” award and USA Today’s “Top 10 Video Game of 2011,” Jetpack Joyride skyrockets players into the latest adventure featuring the lovable and mischievous hero Barry Steakfries, who captured hearts in previous Halfbrick mobile games, Age of Zombies and Monster Dash.

Additionally, Steakfries’ fans are in for a special treat next month as Halfbrick will release the biggest content update for Jetpack Joyride to date.  Jetpack Joyride is currently a free on via the iTunes App Store. To download the game visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jetpack-joyride/id457446957?mt=8

Rise of Dragonian Era (RODE), an upcoming free and fully featured MMORPG from Mgame USA, will host its second and final closed beta test February 11 and 12 from 8am to 8pm PST. This weekend, gamers can cast themselves into the new fantasy world of Piral, pledge allegiance to their dragon lord, and take part in the war against the forces of chaos!

In conjunction with this closed beta test, Mgame USA will award up to $2000 in cash to four lucky players; while additional prizes include video cards from EVGA, surround sound headsets from Logitech, and in-game currency.

RODE plants players in the magnificent but chaotic world of Piral. With two nations to choose from as well as a number of races, classes, and specializations, players will enjoy exploring vast lands and dungeons on their adventure while defeating enemies and overcoming obstacles that stand in their way.

Featuring engaging story quests, a pet system centered on hatching your own dragon, extensive crafting and upgrading systems, a premium item store, auction houses, guild system, ground and aerial mounted combat systems, and a forthcoming castle siege mode. In RODE, fans will find a new and immersive fantasy world of dragons, conflict, and adventure.

Participants in this weekend’s closed beta test will be automatically eligible for the chance to win a number of prizes from Mgame USA. Four lucky players will each receive $500 in cash, while many others will pad their digital wallets with free in-game currency. Four lucky gamers will win a new, state of the art video card from EVGA (a $200 value), while eight fortuitous adventurers will walk away with new Logitech G35 surround sound headsets (valued at $130 each).

The once peaceful Piral has been cast into disorder following the return of the dark dragon, Deablo, forcing the great lord dragons Firean and Azurian to defend the world against the forces of chaos. Are you ready to step into the chaos and fight for the future of Piral?

To sign up for RODE’s Closed Beta 2 please visit http://www.rodeonline.com/. Sign-up is easy and 100% free! For more information about our events and how to win, please visit http://rode.netgame.com/.

I bumped into a rather interesting website when I was doing some research for an earlier blog post, and it’s actually the web version of a classic Apple II turn-based strategy game called Taipan!. How cool is that? The original game was inspired by James Clavell’s novel of the same name and had players sailing around the Far East, trading at different ports and battling pirates.

The web version of the game is available over here, and it has a nice green-over-black do on it.

The first time I read the press release for Spot Kick Hero, I was asking myself, how do you feature Johnny Wilkinson and David Beckham within the same subject line. Turns out the game is a unique iOS title where players can test their mettle delivering spot kicks in football, rugby and American football! Check out the press release below for further details:

Celebrate the return of the 6 Nations, and get your fix in-between games as Rugby joins Football and American Football in a new iPhone and iPad game from Wired Productions.

Sport Kick Hero is the all new game, that puts you into the shoes of your sporting heroes as you step up the spot, ignore the pounding of your heart and the pressure from the crowd to score that all important penalty, conversion or field goal.

Spot Kick Hero is the first penalty shoot out game to include up to eight players in Tournament mode. Feel the tension; excitement and drama of a penalty shoot out with intuitive, easy-to-play game play in 3 different playable modes – Exhibition, Tournament and Mini Games.

Can you kick your way to glory and take on all-comers on the road to the final? You’ll need to judge wind-speed and direction carefully and hold your nerve when the pressure’s on in your bid to win. Do you have the skills to beat the goal keeper in Football? Or make a heroic save to clinch victory? Spot Kick Hero puts you on the spot.

Spot Kick Hero comes with Facebook, Twitter and Game Center integration allowing players to challenge anyone in the world – and then brag about beating them. A host of new achievements offers a competitive single-player experience, whilst bespoke tournaments ensure that the nerve-shredding excitement of a penalty shoot-out can be enjoyed by all.

Check out the game over here: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/spot-kick-hero/id487178677?mt=8

iOS racing fans rejoice as Nemesys Games’ hit arcade racer Ignite, which was previously available on Steam will now soon make its debut on iOS devices! Work was started three weeks ago to port Ignite over to the iOS platform and from the screenshots below, it’s safe to say that it’s looking great!

According to our source at Nemesys, this took just 1 engineer to get the game running, but even so, it’s still in the early stages of development. For those not in the know,Ignite is an edge-of-your-seat racer, which pits you against your opponents in a unique way. Players must collect points while racing, by performing maneuvers, stunts and destruction to add to their overall score.

Once past 1000 points, players can burn away their score to get ahead or save it for a time bonus at the end of the race. Ignite sports 3 racing modes, 35 circuits to run, and a multitude of cars and configurations to speed through 7 different locations in single player or with up to 5 friends, via multiplayer.

KA9 Media, an independent mobile games developer, announced the release of its new title, Memory Lanez, for iOS devices, including the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Memory Lanez is an addictive memory game that blends classic game play elements to create an experience that entertains and stimulates the brain! Users Memorize the patterns as they fly down and then try to duplicate the pattern as quickly as possible. As the game progresses, the trail gets longer and faster, making it more challenging.

A key feature of Memory Lanez is the multi-player option and user generated content. Players can create their own boards and challenge a friend or another player over the network, and watch as their opponent tries to match their creation. There’s also a pass and play option for players to take turns using the same device.

“User generated content has always been a big thing for me to try to incorporate into mobile games,” said Joe Ariganello, founder of KA9 Media. “Social games are fun, but getting the player involved inside the game itself is where I see a big opportunity and chance for fun. Users can create a new game or new experience every time they play. The game never gets old.”

The free version, Memory Lanez Challenge 1.0, allows players to get as far as they can in 30 seconds, check it out here: http://itunes.apple.com/app/memory-lanez-challenge-free/id457537348. The Pro version (http://itunes.apple.com/app/memory-lanez-pro/id476921803), available for only $0.99 (USD), includes timed and unlimited levels, as well as the multiplayer options.

Barcelona based developer, Tiktak Games today introduces Bubble Planets 1.0, their new arcade gaming title for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. In Bubble Planets, players collect planets of the same color by using the acellerometer or your second finger to rebound the planets.

Players will gain power and fun with the power boost combinations. Addictive and simple to play, Bubble Planets features two modes with more than 70 levels in 7 different worlds, as well as awesome power-boosts. Players can compete against their Facebook and Game Center friends at the same time in TikTak Games’ scoring system.

Bubble Planets 1.0 is available for free on the iTunes App Store. Check it out over here: http://itunes.apple.com/app/bubble-planets/id490593893

I recall a friend of mine getting a copy of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective for Christmas. Well, that Capcom title for the Nintendo DS is taking a leap onto the iOS platform and is now available on the App Store for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch in North America and Europe.

Previously released on Nintendo DS to critical acclaim, the beloved mystery adventure game jumps to iOS. The game features intuitive touch screen controls for easy play and enhanced graphics in a wider viewing area for more immersive puzzle solving and is fully localized in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.

Created by Shu Takumi, the father of the critically acclaimed Ace Attorney series, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective combines his signature style of quirky humor, logic puzzles and an intriguing story wrapped in a unique art style. Players take on the role of Sissel, the ghost of a murder victim who has lost his memory and must solve the mystery of his suspicious demise.

Gamers guide his blue-flamed soul through dynamic environments, possessing and manipulating inanimate objects found in the world to solve the captivating puzzles he encounters.

The Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective App is available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore. The first two chapters are free with the download of the game. Subsequent chapters will be available in three different packs for $4.99/£2.99/€3.99 each or $9.99/£6.99/€7.99 for all chapters through In-App Purchase. Check it out over here: http://itunes.apple.com/app/ghost-trick-phantom-detective/id489113377?mt=8

Sometimes, some folks have nothing better to do then to carve two fictional video game characters into a mountain. I don’t know what do you guys think about this publicity stunt by Namco Bandai commemorating the launch of Soulcalibur V, but read on and sound off in the comments section.

To celebrate the release of the game for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Katana-wielding  Mitsurugi and sword-fighting Pyrrha have been engraved in granite on a mountain in Tanum, Sweden, where they will remain until the end of time. The game makers describe Soulcalibur V as tougher than anything that has gone before it – and have cut the two characters into the Earth to prove it.

“Everyone knows the Soulcalibur characters are among the hardest fighters in gaming – so we’ve decided to immortalise them in granite for thousands of years” says Lee Kirton, marketing director, Namco Bandai. “These characters have only ever existed digitally, so it’s brilliant to record them permanently in a format which remain visible until the end of time.”

Master Stone Engraver Göran Andersson from nearby Hunnebostrand performed the engraving. He is the last remaining stone engraver on the Swedish west coast who performs engravings out in nature and has done engravings for notabilities such as movie star Ingrid Berman and the kings of Norway and Sweden.

“This is the by far most complex and detailed engraving I have ever performed”, Göran Andersson. “But it was very fun to do.” Namco Bandai enlisted the help of SavedInStone, who have engraved the characters on their mountain close to a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with Bronze Age stone carvings.

Soulcalibur V is available for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 from tomorrow.