I just finished reporting on Konami's newest music game effort, exergaming title Walk It Out, over at Bemanistyle.com.  Here is the gist of the game:

"Konami announced it is currently amid development of a Nintendo Wii title that aims to combine elements of exergaming with rhythm. The title of the game is Walk It Out, in which players will walk to the beat of music as they explore a number of different environments such as country fields, suburbs, skyscrapers and ocean-side environments."

You can get even more details on the title by visiting the Walk It Out report over at Bemanisytle.

I love to browse through Famitsu.com every day to see what I can find and one of today's updates brought me to one of my favorite Wii series, No More Heroes.  Of course, it's no secret that Suda is hard at work on a second entry for the series, No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle, and images online hint that Ubisoft is going to reveal its intent to publish the title in the U.S. at this year's E3.  It has already been reported through interviews that Travis' vehicle segments will be souped up, but it also looks like the main character's choice of weapons will be beefed up as well.  Famitsu got its hands on a few screens today, showcasing a dual katana weapon that Travis can wield, along with what appears to be a new assassin boss - a hip-hop dressed thug with accordian arms.  Yes, this series is that awesome.

The twin katana seems to be a powerful tool for Travis and the report states the reach of the blades extends a bit when used in a dashing attack.  As the picture also suggests, the report on the weapon also states the blades are great for mowing down large groups of enemies at one time.

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle will take place three years after the events of the original title, which saw Travis climb to the top of the United States assassin ranking.  Famitsu states the sultry agent Sylvia will return once again and once she meets up with Travis after those three years, a new fight begins for him.  Seemingly, this will bring him back to advancing through assassin ranks as Travis aims for an assassin at the next rank.  Famitsu took a look at the 50th ranked combatant, identifying him as Nathan Copland.

Copland is the owner of an underground hip-hop label and makes use of special arms and music-influenced techniques in his attempt to fend off Travis.

For now, we'll wait to see what E3 brings us as wait for the game to hit our Wiis.

As I've reported on Bemanistyle.com, here are the Rock Band updates you can expect to see in the next few weeks:

Next week's Xbox 360 and PS3 Rock Band update will be based on artists featured in the Bonnaroo festival in Tennessee, which will bring six songs from five bands into the series:

Ben Harper and Relentless7 “Shimmer & Shine”
Coheed and Cambria “A Favor House Atlantic”
Coheed and Cambria “The Running Free”
Phish “Wilson (live)”
Shooter Jennings “Steady at the Wheel”
TV on the Radio “Wolf Like Me”

Each track will cost $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) individually, but players can also buy all six tracks at the cost of $9.99 (800 Microsoft Points). As always, the update hits the 360 Tuesday and the Playstation 3 on Thursday.

To coincide with the band's upcoming documentary release "Flight 666," Harmonix and MTV Games today announced it will be unleashing 12 full DLC tracks from a healthy span of Iron Maiden's career.

The tracks will launch on Tuesday, June 9 for the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii and Thursday, June 11 for the Playstation 3:

"Aces High (live)" Flight 666 (2009)
"2 Minutes to Midnight" Powerslave (1984)
"The Trooper" Piece of Mind (1983)
"Wasted Years" Somewhere in Time (1986)
"The Number of the Beast" The Number of the Beast (1982)
"Run to the Hills" The Number of the Beast (1982)
"Can I Play With Madness" Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)
"The Clairvoyant" Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)
"Powerslave" Powerslave (1984)
"Fear of the Dark (live)" Flight 666 (2009)
"Hallowed Be Thy Name (live)" Flight 666 (2009)
"Iron Maiden (live)" Flight 666 (2009)

You know the drill by now - each individual track will cost $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points, 200 Wii Points). Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 owners, however, can nab the entire set at the price of $19.99 (1600 Microsoft Points).

In a bit of a surprise move for many fans (me) of the pop'n music series, Konami is switching up its approach to the series and is releasing an entry on the Nintendo Wii in Japan.  I've only been waiting two years for the next arcade to console release on the Playstation, but at least this is a sign the company hasn't given up on the console format in regard to the series.  The rumblings initially started with scans from Japanese magazine Famitsu, which featured what may be a screenshot of the HUD along with information, but, today, Konami of Japan has launched a product page for pop'n music (Wii).

While we at Bemanistyle.com question whether or not the reported U.S. patent of pop'n music will bring this title stateside, the official Japanese release date is now set at August 6 with the game retailing at 5,800 Yen (roughly $60.75 U.S. right now). The information page confirms the title will be up to four players but also adds in the game will have consideration "for online." Whether this means game play will be online or players will just download new songs is uncertain right now.  However, as it has been pointed out to me, the red Wi-Fi logo on the front packaging seems to indicate this is leaning more toward purchasing expansion content.

At least the packaging includes notable characters such as Mimi, Nyami, Yuli, Ash, Roku, Milk and more sporting Wii Remotes and Nunchucks. Here's hoping that if this does release in the U.S., the cover won't be butchered up.  Yeah, I'm talking about Beat'N Groovy.  The less said about the abomination of a "game," the better.

It's good to see the series continuing on, but many fans are still concerned over the fact we have still not yet received a proper home entry for pop'n music 15 ADVENTURE while the arcade version of pop'n music 17 THE MOVIE continues to see play in Japanese arcades.  The home entries had a bit of high note with pop'n music 14 FEVER (depending on who you ask, I suppose), but it would be sad to see the traditional series get lost in the shuffle while moving to newer systems.  I plan on bringing some pop'n music titles to the event I'm attending this weekend, so we'll see how this niche series appeals to the common U.S. player.

Sure, the economy isn't so hot right now, that's no surprise, and with Christmas coming up, most people's wallets aren't going to be flowing quite like normal.  Thankfully, locations such as Amazon.com are looking to ease the video game purchasing burden with instant rebates.

If you're still unsure about Sonic turning into a werehog with stretchy arms in Sonic Unleashed, perhaps a $5 instant rebate from Amazon.com on the title will change your mind.  If you add the Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii title to your cart, enter the code "UNLEASH5" in the appropriate field when you check out to receive the rebate.

The second Amazon.com deal is a bit of a mouthful, but it can net you up to $250 in deals (not necessarily savings) if you planned on picking up an 80GB Playstation 3 model before Jan. 31, 2009.

Customers must purchase the 80 GB version of the system and then also purchase one of the following:

• If customers purchase one of the following games:

LittleBigPlanet
Motorstorm Pacific Rift
Resistance 2
Resistance 2 collector's edition
Buzz Quiz TV bundle
Singstar Vol 2 bundle
NBA 09 The Inside
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation bundle

They will receive an instant $50 in Amazon.com credit.

• Or, if customers purchase one of the above games, plus two of any of the following Blu-Ray discs:

Iron Man (Ultimate Edition)
Incredible Hulk
Transformers (Special Edition)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Sleeping Beauty (Platinum Edition)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (+Digital)
Speed Racer
Batman Begins
Blade Runner (Five-Disc Complete Collector's Edition)
I Am Legend

They will receive $100 in instant Amazon.com credit.

• Lastly, if customers apply for the Sony Card (VISA) and are approved, they can purchase the 80 GB model and receive $150 card credit plus no interest for one year.

Video game savings are bound to pop up left and right, so keep your eyes open and go for the best deals on your favorite products!