Click image to vroom into our gallery Despite being an arcade racer, Need for Speed: Nitro will boast some very real rides when it releases next month . The latest update from EA focuses on some of the higher-end automobiles you’ll be able to get behind the virtual wheel of — including a Mustang , Charger and a Corvette . There are even a couple of Audis and the Lamborghini above, if you prefer to zip around in something you could probably never afford in real life. Hit up the gallery below to check ‘em all out. Need for Speed: Nitro’s Class A cars revealed originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Nintendo’s profits took a 52 percent dive in the first-half of 2009 compared to the same period last year, which sounds horrible — until the realization hits that the company still brought in $766 million in pure profit. Yes, Nintendo is still doing all right, even as it cut its profit forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2010 from $3.3 billion to merely $2.53 billion. Tragic, we know. The Wii has now sold 56.14 million units globally, while the DS has reached 113.48 million in unit sales. There’s been a general slowdown of software sales, however, as the House of Mario has had fewer high-profile releases so far this year — we count only: Wii Sports Resort . Although investors may see the profit decline as a bad thing , it’s not like Nintendo’s plump plumber is going to be forced to cut back on those hearty meals any time soon. …

Sure, November may lack the phonetic building blocks which allow the word “Rock” to be tucked in there somehow, but that doesn’t mean it won’t bring any hard-rockin’ jams to Guitar Hero 5 . We’ve got the full list of DLC that’s coming to the game next month posted after the jump, including selections from Lenny Kravitz, Metallica, KISS and others. One bundle, the “Neversoft Thanks the Fans Track Pack,” will be absolutely free. The other packs, will follow the 160 ($2, 200 Wii Points) per song, 440 ($5.50, 550 Wii Points) per three-song pack pricing structure of last month’s releases . In addition, on Nov. 5, players will be able to import 61 of Band Hero ’s tracks into Guitar Hero 5 for 400 ($5, 500 Wii Points), or 65 of Guitar Hero 5 ’s tracks into Band Hero for 480 ($6, 600 Wii…

Seems like these buy 2, get 1 free sales are all the rage these days, as Target has just announced it will be hosting one starting November 1. Unlike the recent sales from Amazon , Toys R Us and Best Buy , Target’s sale applies only to Wii games, though it’s worth noting that it does apply to all of them. As Wii games tend to be significantly cheaper than 360 and PS3 games, this might be a good deal for the early holiday shoppers out there. Target is also offering a deal on Band Hero starting November 3 and running through next week. Those that pick up any version of the Band Hero bundle ($199) will get a free $20 gift card along with it…

We’re marking this as a rumor due to the third-hand nature of it: Andriasang summarized an article on Inside-Games about a Nikkei Industrial article (phew), which states that Capcom is working on bringing an engine designed for PS3 and Xbox 360 to Wii, to save time and money. This is likely the MT Framework that drives the majority of Capcom’s works including the Lost Planet series and Resident Evil 5 . Nikkei reports that simultaneous development of games across the platforms could cut 1/5 off of Capcom’s development costs, and 1/3 off development time. The inclusion of those stats makes it seem like Capcom is eyeing simultaneous development of 360, PS3, and Wii games rather than Wii ports. That approach should end in better results than the ” hand the game to TOSE and forget about it ” approach. Rumor: Capcom adapting next-gen MT Framework…

While there are still a few games that you’ll want to purchase, this is one of the mildest Novembers we can remember. Why, there’s hardly anything you’ll have to have after you pick up Assassin’s Creed 2 , Modern Warfare 2 , Dragon Age: Origins and … oh who are we kidding? No one’s wallet is getting out of here alive . Start your holiday shopping list right here . New Games This Month: November 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

Konami has revealed its financial forecast for the six months ending September 30, 2009. Comparing profits to the same time last year, the company predicts that net income attributable to Konami corporation would fall 82 percent, from 12 billion yen ($132 million) to 2 billion yen ($24 million). Of course, Konami blames this sharp downturn on a lack of key titles ( again ), especially in contrast to MGS4 which buoyed much of 2008. The company is hopeful for a climb into the black this time next year, forecasting net income to be around 16 billion yen ($177 million). Konami doesn’t say what it expects to drive this rise in profits, but titles like Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and PES 2010 will likely play a part in that. Next year also promises the appearance of a revitalized Castlevania , a portable Metal Gear Solid and — maybe…

With the major pound-packing holidays bearing down on us at breakneck speed, we thought it prudent to help a few of you shed those unwanted love handles with a free copy of Wii Fit Plus . Are you game? See below for how to enter — best of luck! Leave a comment telling us whether or not you actively exercise You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) Limit 1 entry per person per day This entry period ends at 11:59 AM ET on Wednesday, November 11 At that time, we’ll randomly select one winner to receive Wii Fit Plus for the Nintendo Wii ($20 ARV) and a Wii Fit Plus workout shirt ($20 ARV) For a list of complete rules, click here Joyswag: Wii Fit Plus and a Wii Fit Plus shirt originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Thu…

Alyse isn’t just your usual Legend of Zelda fan — aside from the drawer full of Link-themed boxer shorts and decorative Majora’s Mask cup set sitting in the cupboard, he’s now also the proud owner of the gigantic Lego mosaic you see above. The product of his brow’s sweat and his hand’s work, the mosaic was created for Brickcon , an annual event that celebrates adult Lego hobbyists. Head on over to his Flickr account for shots of the impressive feat throughout its development, something Alyse documented because he “was inspired by many of the stained glass artwork from Wind Waker .” If we had enough patience to do something like this, we probably wouldn’t have jobs on the internet. [Via The Tanooki ] Man creates massive Lego Zelda mosaic, takes longer to finish than most Zelda games originally appeared …

For those of you who aren’t totally bored with boards and board-based peripherals, Thrustmaster has just the thing for you. Introducing the T-Freestyle NW, a skateboard attachment designed specifically for the Wii Balance Board. The peripheral is crafted of maple and includes “Rolling Motion Board” technology for “true lateral movement capabilities.” Also, unlike your real skateboard, the T-Freestyle NW includes a “safety stopper” to keep overzealous virtual skaters and snowboarders from tipping over. Perhaps such a peripheral could interfere with games designed to work with a naked Balance Board but, assuming it works as advertised, the T-Freestyle NW just might be the thing to make your extreme games that much more extreme . For the asking price of $29.99, it had better. Expect the T-Freestyle NW to hit shelves at the end of November. Thrustmaster puts a board on your (balance) board originally…