NASA has devised a rather unconventional way of exploring the moon's South Pole. The space agency's latest mission involves crashing one of two lunar spacecrafts into a flat surface on the satellite's southern area. For more information on this new mission, check out the full article after the jump.

The presentation of a product can either make it or break it. That's probably why Koch Media recently released a lot of drool-worthy screenshots and artwork of their Ferrari Challenge (PS3, Wii, DS) racing game.

Care for some eye candy? Check them out after the jump!

    

Koch Media and System 3 are cooking up Ferrari Challenge (Wii, DS) with a promise that the Wii version will have "the most accurate motion-sensing steering yet seen on the revolutionary console." We have no idea how the DS version will hold up, or even if how accurate exactly the game will be given little details we know, but we stumbled upon screenshots at least.

From what we can see, both iterations of Ferrari Challenge are making good use of their respective platforms. Sharp car models and lively environments represent the Wii version. The DS version is utilizing both screens, with competent graphics comparable to the best we've seen for the handheld.

We share the sentiments of all racing fans excited to see a flaming hot Ferrari in action, so we'll keep our eyes peeled. Check out these screens for now; updates are sure to follow, so watch this space.

  

More screenshots after the jump!

Trading paint is in an entirely new league when you're driving a Ferrari, and it's the dream of almost every kid to take these gorgeous rides for a spin. Koch Media and System 3 knew this, and decided to make Ferrari Challenge (PS3, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS). As promised, the game made a debut at Games Convention 2007 in Leipzig.

The video sure teased our senses even if it clocked just over a minute. The cars look great and tracks are well crafted - what else do you need before getting the urge to step on the gas and break speed limits? Brief gameplay footage doesn't really tell us how the game will run though, but those wheels sure are moving fast.

Expect Ferrari Challenge to reach the shelves this November 23. So far, we know that the game will be as realistic as possible and will deliver a true Ferrari experience.

Here's the PS3 trailer that rocked convention grounds:

System 3 has announced that the Leipzig Games Convention will be the venue for the world debut of Ferrari Challenge (DS, PS3, Wii). System 3's August 23 press conference will be the first time that people will see a playable version of the officially licensed racing sim.

The multiplatform title will be running on the PlayStation 3, the Nintendo Wii and the Nintendo DS during its global premiere. The PlayStation 3 version will reportedly focus on the technical side of the game, while the Wii version will feature "the most accurate motion-sensing steering yet seen on the revolutionary console".

System 3 has also released one PS3 screenshot of the game along with the global debut announcement. Check it out up top. Ferrari Challenge's global debut will take place on August 23 at 3:00 P.M. The game is currently slated for release on November 23, close enough for System 3's hints that the game will roll out this Christmas.

And the Games Convention Developers Conference (GCDC) for 2007 is rolling to a good start as another company has officially announced, via press wire, games that will be offered for gamers, media and retailers at the Leipzig Business Center come late August. Deep Silver (X3: Reunion Game of the Year Edition, Warhammer: Mark of Chaos) and its partners have listed ANNO 1701, Ferrari Challenge, Final Fantasy Tactics, Secret Files 2, Flatout Ultimate Carnage, Heroes of Mana, Perry Rhodan, and Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria as featured games for gamers.

 

ANNO 1701 is Deep Silver's upcoming add-on to the ANNO (PC) real-time strategy series, published by Ubisoft. Ferrari Challenge (PlayStation 3, DS, Wii), published by System 3, will be there to tout realistic modeling and racing simulations of the Italian sports car and the motor sports series of the same name.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War (PSP) under Square Enix' supervision will also be at the Leipzig Convention, enticing fans of the Square Enix Final Fantasy and tactical action persuasion to give the game a try over handheld. Mystery fans might want to to stop by to take a gander at the sequel to the classic German adventure Secret Files: Tunguska, Secret Files 2 (PC) - the predecessor being a winner of several local and regional game of the year awards.

And if you're a fan of Mana, you could check out Heroes of Mana (DS), a real-time strategy title published by Square Enix and based on the Mana series. Empire Interactive's Flatout Ultimate Carnage (Xbox 360) will be smashing its way to Leipzig, too, after a well-anticipated, timely launch for the destructive driving title.

Perry Rhodan (PC) will feature the famous astronaut of the same name in a fictional adventure game published by Brain Game. And if Heavenly Sword coming out for the PlayStation 3 just shattered your day, worry not, because Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (PS2) by Square Enix will be brandished at the event to satisfy the Sony current generation console gamers.

But wait, Deep Silver isn't done yet, because more games will be announced when the second part of the European-centric trade fair highlights by the developer is polished before the curtains rise by August 23. Catch them, and their games, at stand A12 of Hall 3 of the Leipzig Business Center.

Just about anyone, automotive buff or not, has dreamed of driving a Ferrari and getting his freak on with it on a freeway. Koch Media and System 3 are making that happen very soon with the coming of their new game, The Ferrari Challenge.

The title isn't ready to roll out of the garage yet, but Koch Media has already announced that it will be distributing System 3's multi-million euro project in all German and French-speaking territories in the European market.

"The distribution reach of Koch media was never in question, but we needed a company that understands our marketing strategy and has the resource to realise our plans," says System 3 CEO Mark Cale. "Koch has shown the level of commitment that we were looking for and we’re delighted to be working with them on this key launch."

Fans of Ferrari cars should be satisfied with the level of authenticity that the game will carry as the car maker has made an active and concerted effort to scrutinize the development and see to it that the experience is as realistic as possible.

The release date for The Ferrari Challenge is yet to be determined, but it has been confirmed that it will have distinct versions for the Sony PlayStation, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS platforms.

Apparently the dual-SKU model ain't just for Warhawk, too. Talking to PALGN, System 3 CEO Mark Cale mentioned that the Epyx title California Games rumored to come to the Wii, is coming to the Wii. Twice. "You'll be able to buy it online," he says, "and you'll be able to buy it as a retail product, too."

Dang. Someone reevaluate the economics of what Peter Dille said about this dual-SKU thing.

And speaking of Peter Dille, Mark also confirms that California Games will be coming to the PS3 as well. Twice. He says it can/will be bought on the PlayStation Network and as a physical retail copy. Mark doesn't mention about any extra goodies for buying a blob of optical plastic (either the Wii optical plastic or the PS3 optical plastic), however.

At this, we can also suspect that the California Games coming to the Wii and PS3 isn't just a simple port of the original, Amiga-era Epyx title, but potentially a full-blown new-gen revamp (or else why dedicate blobs of optical plastic to the title?). Potentially, it could mean motion-sensing controls, high-def graphics (depending on platform), yada yada, but no concrete details have surfaced yet.

Cale did mention that the Wii version would be "playable online through the Wii," though. So there's online multiplayer, too.

 

London based developer System 3 has recently announced the signing of a deal with Ferrari, which could lead to the developer acquiring rights to create Ferrari-licensed games. Mark Cale, CEO and founder of the studio, talked with Nintendo Gamer and revealed that developers have a the goal of creating a Gran Turismo-like game for the Wii.

According to Cale, the game will be made not only for the Nintendo platforms (the DS and the Wii) but also for the Sony PlayStation 3 and the PSP. So far it's set to be a cross between a simulation title and an arcade title.

Aussie-Nintendo reports that Cale has noted that the developers are looking at putting an accelerator and a proper steering wheel in for the Wii version of their game. Cale explains:

...that's one of the problems of the Nintendo controller - you either have a very loose system that's very forgiving but unrealistic, or if you have it realistic and you suddenly flinch or something it could affect the performance. We feel we've come up with a very good solution to that.

Will System 3 succeed by making racing games for the Wii? After all Cale himself said: "The advantage we've got with the Wii is there aren't any great racing games on there..." Time will tell.

Back in March, System 3 announced that it will be relaunching the old Commodore 64 title Impossible Mission for the Wii, DS, PS2 and PSP. Today, we came across some news from Infendo that according to the Preview section of the June 2007 issue of Nintendo Power, the Wii version of Impossible Mission will be released via the Wii's Shop Channel.

A digital release for the remake was hinted at by developer System 3 a few months ago, but as Infendo says, this is the first confirmation of how it will be released for the Wii. Impossible Mission will also have the distinction of being the first non-Virtual Console title to be released on the Wii Shop Channel.

Impossible Mission is currently slated for a Q2 release.