Gamers will be in for a treat later this year if an allegedly leaked list detailing the tweaks and additions set to appear in the upcoming Xbox 360 Spring Update is in fact legit.

The rumored update list makes note of quite a few interesting features, most notably “Calibration options for motion sensor devices” and “Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device.” The latter, will presumably allow for Xbox 360 titles to be installed onto the hard drive, which would be a welcoming addition for titles like Grand Theft Auto IV. Sure, we’ve complained about mandatory PS3 HDD installs in the past, but as long as this is an optional feature, I’m all for it.

Have a look at the supposed list after the jump.

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Hats off to the crew over at Rockstar. Grand Theft Auto IV has officially made it into the Guinness World Record books, earning top honors in the categories of “Highest Grossing Video Game in 24 Hours” and “Highest Revenue Generated by an Entertainment Product in 24 Hours.”

The critically-acclaimed title generated $310 million in worldwide sales on its first day, selling a total of 3.6 million units to consumers. Looking at the competition, Spider-Man 3 made $60 million on its opening day, while J. K. Rowling’s seventh and final Harry Potter book racked up $220 million in 24 hours.

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Homebrew developer JBrown has released Beats Off v0.1, a cross-platform utility that allows users to import custom loop sequences into the popular PlayStation Network title known as Beats.

As this is the initial release, there are a number of limitations. The author notes that created BAR data files must replace an already existing Jam BAR in order to be used. Additionally, all generated loops are required to be four bars long, and there is no support for cover art or samples as of yet.

Either way, if you’re a fan of the game and don’t mind delving into the realm of customization, this worth checking out. Just be sure to read the included readme file for installation and setup instructions. Beats Off is fully compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX platforms.

Download Beats Off v0.1

Beats Off v0.1 [JBrown]

Say it isn’t so! In a recent interview with UK-based site TVG, outspoken director Tomonobu Itagaki revealed that the upcoming Ninja Gaiden II for Xbox 360 will be the final entry in the fabled hack ‘n slash action series that he is personally in charge of. Itagaki seemed rather pleased with how NG II has turned out, though, proclaiming that it is the “definitive” version of Ninja Gaiden.

I’m really proud of how it’s turned out. I think is this is the best and most fun game I’ve ever done. I almost feel like I’ve been born again, like this is the first game I’ve ever made.

[Ninja Gaiden II] is the definitive version of Ninja Gaiden…I look at NG2 and I think it’s the culmination of everything I’ve done, but it’s also a chance for me to change how I think about game design.

No word on Itagaki’s plans for the future. Although previous statements from nearly two years ago have indicated that he is heading up an all-new installment in the Dead or Alive fighting series, nothing has been officially announced as of yet.

Itagaki: Ninja Gaiden 2 Is My Final Installment News [TVG]

Publisher Atlus today announced that it is localizing Takara Tomy’s tactical-based strategy RPG Zoids Assault for a release on the Xbox 360 in North America.

In Zoids, players take control of an elite squad of war machines through a series of military conflicts. The game is said to feature a wide range of customization options, allowing players to upgrade their machinery to the next level with a variety of melee weapons, rockets, rifles, machine guns, shotguns, and cannons.

Hit the break for screenshots of the game’s menu interface and various battlefields. Zoids Assault is slated to hit store shelves on August 26.

Zoids Assult Screenshots

Agetec today announced that it will publish Sega’s dart tossing simulation game Touch Darts in North America.

Slated for a release next month in June, the title features four gameplay modes in all, including tournament, quickplay, four-way multiplayer via single cartridge, and a fresh challenge mode consisting of ten classic and new mini-games. Dart players can enjoy the tournament option across four separate difficulty settings ranging from “Rookie” to “Expert.”

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At a press event held in Tokyo yesterday, producer Hideo Kojima announced that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patroits has gone gold. Meaning, the game is now finished development-wise and is currently in the process of being sent to manufacturing in preparation for its June 12 worldwide release date.

While on the stand, Kojima noted that Metal Gear Solid 4 is “the conclusion to the Metal Gear Saga.” However, Konami president Fumiaki Tanaka accentuated the fact that MGS 4 won’t be Kojima’s last PlayStation 3 title, as he has mentioned in previous interviews before.

Metal Gear Solid 4 golden [GameSpot]

Publisher Microsoft Game Studios has unearthed a fresh batch of blood-soaked screenshots from Team Ninja’s upcoming exclusive Xbox 360 title Ninja Gaiden II. There’s no shortage of gore here, folks.

Hit the break for more. The second main installment in Ryu Hayabusa’s hack n’ slash adventure is due out in North America on June 3, with a European release following on June 6.

Ninja Gaiden II Screenshots

New details have come to light regarding Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise, the upcoming sequel to Rare’s original take on the life simulation genre.

In the game, players return back to the world of Piñata Island. Turns out that the peccant Professor Pester and his Ruffian cohorts have deleted all of Piñata Central’s computer records, leaving the city in a state of peril. It’s up to players to rebuild the database by sending piñatas around the world while managing to attract, trap, protect, and train over 100 unique piñata species.

In addition to a fully online-enabled co-op mode, the sequel features full support for the Xbox 360’s Vision Camera accessory, allowing players a flash a printed piñata card up to the camera for extra in-game content. Additionally, players will be able to turn their piñata into a card and share it amongst friends. The recipient can then flash the card using the Vision camera to add the piñata into their garden.

Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise is pegged for a September release later this year. Hit the jump for the full fact sheet, along with new screenshots.

Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise Screenshots

Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts is the official name for the third main installment in Rare’s long-running Banjo franchise. At its Gamers Day event in San Francisco today, Microsoft confirmed that the title will be hitting the Xbox 360 in November.

The game will once again see Banjo and his bird sidekick Kazooie pitted against the evil witch Gruntilda. This time, The Lord of the Games, otherwise known as LOG, has arranged a showdown to decide the owner of Spiral Mountain. Banjo must complete each of LOG’s challenges while avoiding Grunty’s devious traps.

Although the game will still include platforming elements, there is said to be a strong focus on vehicle customization. With more than 100 mechanical parts to choose from, players will be able to complete LOG’s challenges in a multitude of different ways by building their own vehicles for Banjo to pilot over land, water, and air.

Sounds interesting, to say the least. Hit the jump for the full fact sheet.

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