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According to reports from Gamasutra, the new entry into the Resident Evil franchise will kick off the new eShop demo service. While the retail copy will release next month, players can get an early, limited glimpse at the new game.

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It's no secret that problem-solving can become a lot less arduous with the help of a rewards system. As gamers, we understand that a timeless passion and a monotonous challenge can often be one and the same. At the University of Washington, students from the Computer Science and Engineering department collaborated with the department of Biochemistry, using the hobby of gaming to learn more about how proteins come together to form living tissue.

Through traditional research, scientists have learned that the proteins we produce come together to form our DNA. Proteins are complex, however, and creating accurate three-dimensional models showing the exact structures of each is difficult even for computers. Enter Foldit, a game created to allow players to manipulate a graphical model of various proteins. Basically, Foldit provides players with a protein puzzle and tasks them to figure out how each piece of the protein comes together to form a whole 3D molecule. Using the data collected from the puzzles, algorithms can be created to assist computers in thinking more like humans, who are able to use spatial reasoning for problem solving.

Most puzzles created for the program involve proteins with an existing knowledge base. In just three weeks, however, gamers were able to create an accurate 3D model of M-PMV retroviral protease, which is linked to an AIDS-like virus. Scientists previously spent a decade attempting to decipher the structure of the protease; proteases are said to play a vital role in the reproduction of some viruses (like HIV). Thanks to the results of Foldit, scientists can now continue research on creating AIDS drugs that can deactivate proteases and stop the spread of the disease.

If you'd like to take part in the research, and maybe even get the high score (yes, this game does have scoring), then visit Foldit's official webpage at http://fold.it/

For more reading on this topic, visit Fox News' article

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Thanks, Ellison!

I remember that awesome day back in 1985 like it was yesterday. The release date for the NES. I had played Super Mario Bros. countless times at the arcade in the mall, but the chance to play it at home had finally come! It is now 26 years later, and I still own the very same NES console that I had purchased all those years ago. I've had to replace a controller a couple times, but other than that, the system has held up amazingly well!

For so many children of the 80's and early 90's, the NES holds a really special place our hearts. There were gaming systems prior to the NES, but once the NES was released to the public, it shortly became the one console that anyone who considered themselves to be a legitimate gamer owned. The NES had thousands of games and created some of the most memorable and famous video game characters ever - a lot of which can still be seen and played with in the newer consoles that are coming out today.

Of course, Super Mario Bros. was a HUGE hit when it came out. Who couldn't like it? There were other games that I liked more or equally as much, though. For example, Fester's Quest.
Some of you are probably thinking, "OMG, she cannot be serious. That game sucked!" I am serious, though.

Fester's Quest was the first attempt at an Addams Family game for the NES. Once you've seen the epic introduction scene, you know you're about to play a really killer game. UFOs have taken over, and the welfare of the world lies on Uncle Fester's shoulders. He isn't the only Addams that you'll see in the game, however. Lurch, Thing, Gomez, and a few more show up later in the game.

Graphically speaking, Fester's Quest leaves much to be desired. The audio, though? It's really catchy and the beats of the music and whatnot really keep you interested. Of all the NES games, I would have to say that some of my favorite music is in Fester's Quest. Even the sound effects are well done and pretty accurate.



Unfortunately, Fester is a bit on the clumsy side, so the movement of the character isn't the most smooth. There is a fix, however. If you are equipped with the NES Advantage controller with the turbo buttons in the 'On' position, it will enhance Fester's Quest dramatically. Not only will Fester move more quickly, but it's a lot more fun, too.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that although there are all sorts of new-fangled toys, gadgets, and games out there, there is simply no substitute for the classics. I always make it a point to play my NES just to keep myself grounded. I think all of you guys should do the same.

Nine months ago, Sivak Games released an homage to classic platforming in it's first Nintendo release, "Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril". Some of you may have heard of it, but looking through the N+ archives I noticed it didn't have it's own article. N+ does a very good job of covering important releases for Nintendo's dynamic duo, so why would this title not merit attention?


Oh, that's why

You're not imagining things; Battle Kid is only available via NES cartridge. My random Wikipedia searches have finally come to fruition as the NES article led me to information about the lockout chip used in the console to prevent unauthorized development. However, if you check the list of games released you will notice that since 1987 companies have found a way to bypass the lockout chip and produce their own software.

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Sega has set a date for the delayed Conduit 2: February 2011. They also include a new trailer to go along with it. Does anyone else feel these screens look a bit... umm... polished?

You can go ahead and go all WTF?! on this... (Still, adding adjectives looks promising!)

Time to really envy Euro folks. Remember that lovely 'Japan only' Super Mario All Stars Wii bundle we posted about a few weeks ago? Well, it turns out it won't be Japan-only anymore. Nintendo Sweden announced that the company plans to release the coveted pack Europe-wide.

The box set will include a Wii disc with Super Mario All Stars (nothing has been revamped, just ported as-is) which in turn includes SNES-updated versions of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, a Special Edition soundtrack CD containing music from all Super Mario games, a commemorative DVD and a history booklet with the Red Plumber's story all over its pages.

The bundle is set to be released in Europe on December 3rd., just in time to make it into your Christmas presents list. Again, no announcement has been made by NoA regarding a North American release. However, the fact that the game has made it outside Japan and it has been translated to English, gives us hope...

OK, so the video came out earlier this week... Our apologies for not posting it before.