For those who are looking for new additions to their Virtual Console games collection, be informed that the ESRB has just re-rated the classic video game Double Dragon. More details after the jump!

Electronic Arts' Army of Two (Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3), the first game that comes to mind when talking about loving your buddy on the battlefield, was inspired by co-op classics like Technos' Double Dragon and Konami's Contra, according to senior producer Reid Schneider. Even online play will focus on watching your friend's back just like in the mentioned games, he said.

In an interview, Schneider said the developers aimed for the "buddy-cop" film experience while making Army of Two. The fruit of their labor is unparalleled team play that leaves other tactical shooters in the dust, he added. This can be credited to inspiration taken from games that made cooperative play very desirable, like the influential beat 'em up Double Dragon and Contra which popularized the use of cheat codes because two guys with a few lives each weren't enough to succeed.

Following the lead of video games that were difficult to complete alone, going through Army of Two's campaign and online modes won't be easy without a pal. Multiplayer pits partners together as they reach for objectives, fragging enemy AI along the way. Teamwork comes into play when you have to maneuver two-man vehicles, or when exploiting the aggro mechanic is the only option to survive.

Aggro, as those keeping tabs on the game would know, makes the gun-totting guy more visible while the other gains a degree invisibility. Devs made sure this carries over to online modes by tweaking the aggro shaders, Schneider said. When one player has full aggro while his partner has none, the second guy will be almost fully transparent.

A lot of promising features are to be included in the Army of Two's multiplayer modes. Custom weapons made during offline play can't be used online, but there will be plenty of precustomized weapons according to Schneider. Plans to offer downloadable maps on launch are being worked on, and since Army of Two is slated for a November 15 release, it won't be long 'till we find out if they make the cut.

For the full interview, click on the Read link below.

Buy: [ Army of Two (PS3) ]
Buy: [ Army of Two (360) ]

 

For 400 MS points, an iconic coin-op brawler makes its way to the latest Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday: Double Dragon. This will be a faithful reproduction of the credit-bandit by Technos Japan, remade for the HD gen by Empire Interactive, down to the co-op and the weapons and the hair-grab, knee-up action.

This Double Dragon, however, does come with some double-bonuses. And it's not just the ability for Jimmy Lee to be online via Xbox Live multiplayer. Besides enhanced graphics and soundtracks, Double Dragon XBLA comes with extras such as the original Japanese and US ad fliers, three leaderboards, 12 Achievements, and 200 Gamerscore points.

Now if we told you that one of the extras is an HD centerfold spread of... Abobo, would you still be interested in playing? We kid, we kid.

Remember the classic NES game Super Dodge Ball? It was from Technos and was originally released in 1989 in North America. If you were too young (or too old) to remember, it was pretty much like the movie Dodgeball where the Average Joe Peter La Fleur beats the overconfident White Goodman.

Daily Waste offered five reasons why Super Dodge Ball should make a comeback on the Wii. First off, the Wiimote and nunchuck would be great for controls. Fun factor's over the edge as you try to slug it out with burly opponents (much like the movie). Demographic-wise, dodgeball is a fun sport to play - anybody would enjoy it. Add Mii compatibility to the pot, you and your Miis have the chance to get smashed in the face (and vice versa) with a rubber ball. And lastly, it would be a great party game with multiplayer capabilities.

Well, there's an idea for another Virtual Console title. Or better yet another game just asking for a bit of a make over.