If the numerous photo and video leaks hinting at an eventual Soul Calibur IV DLC, allowing PS3 and Xbox 360 owners to download Yoda and Darth Vader respectively, were not enough to convince you of its existence, Namco is now confirming what many of us already expected.

Grab your lightsaber color of choice next week, as the DLC, uniting the forces of good and evil on both next-gen consoles, will be available for download on October 23rd.

While this is great news for of both fans of the Star Wars and Soul Calibur franchises, the content will come with a price. Specifically, $4.99 for Yoda on the PS3, and 400 MS Points ($5.00) for Vader on the 360.

Afterthought: What say you? Is this something you will gladly dish out the cash for, or will you make a stand and hope that developers put an end to these type of money making antics?

Source: 1up

In honor of the upcoming release of Namco’s Soul Calibur IV, containing Yoda on the 360 (and possibly the PS3 at some point). I thought it would be a good time to share some videos depicting key moments in the small but powerful Master Jedi’s life.

Videos you want? The jump you must hit.

YODA KICKS ASS – “If so powerful you are, why leave?”

LUKE MEETS YODA – “Looking? Found someone you have I would say.”

YODA TRAINS LUKE – “Do, or do not. There is no try”

THE DEATH OF YODA – “Strong am I with the force, but not that strong.”

DON’T CRY, YODA’S OK

This week’s selection of game releases seems to be one of the better weeks of the summer so far with the release of the highly anticipated Soul Calibur IV, and a host of new games coming out for the Wii including MLB Power Pros 2008 and SNK Arcade Classic Vol. 1.

PC gamers also get a really good week with a bunch of releases including Beijing Olympics 2008, City Life 2008 Edition and Everlight. As for downloadable content, be on the watch for Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 for the Xbox Live Arcade and if you’re really bored, you might want to even check out Pong Toss-Frat Party Games for the WiiWare, which is essentially a Beer Pong game without the beer. Weird, I know. Have a good week in gaming!

Pick of The Week: Soul Calibur IV (Xbox 360, PS3)

Xbox 360

• Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 (XBLA)
• Soul Calibur IV
• Spectral Force 3
• Summer Athletics: The Ultimate Challenge

PS3

• Soul Calibur IV

Wii

• Art of Fighting 2 (VC)
• Chase H.Q. (VC)
• Ford Racing: Off Road
• King of Clubs Mini Golf
• MLB Power Pros 2008
• Pong Toss-Frat Party Games (WiiWare)
• SNK Arcade Classic Vol. 1
• Summer Athletics: The Ultimate Challenge

PS2

• Ford Racing: Off Road
• MLB Power Pros 2008
• Summer Athletics: The Ultimate Challenge

PC

• Art of Murder: FBI Confidential
• Baseball Mogul 2009
• Beijing Olympics 2008: The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games
• City Life 2008 Edition
• Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm
• Everlight
• Fate: Undiscovered Realms
• Legend: Hand of God
• Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI

Nintendo DS

• Suzuki Superbikes

PSP

• Ford Racing: Off Road

The rumor surrounding the possibility of being able to download Yoda on the PS3, and Vader on the 360, edged a tad bit closer to reality today, as supposed leaked in-game screens and video seem to confirm their simultaneous existence in the game.

The website housing both the leaked images (shown above and below), and the video which appears at the tail end of this article, claims that the content comes directly from Namco and has not been altered in any way.

While the screens are being reported as those of the Xbox 360 version (made evident by the green and red select buttons shown below), the site also states their belief that the PS3 version will share the same DLC option for Yoda.

Images have been known to be shopped on the web, but the addition of the video, which surfaced shortly after the screens were leaked, makes it hard for us to deny that, at the very least, there is some version of the game out there that contains the two characters.

Assuming that this confirms Namco’s intent to release both Yoda and Vader as DLC on their respective consoles, there is still no mention of price, and it’s hard to believe that a merger of two forces this epic would come for free.

Below is what appears to be an in-game video depicting Yoda battling it out with none other than Darth Vader himself. Enjoy.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Source: gamersreports.com

Good news PS3 owners.  Your Hard-drive won’t be accosted by Darth Vader.  Soul Calibur IV’s install is not a massive 6.7GB and it may not be mandatory either…

At the beginning of the month a keen Neogaffer spotted that the PS3 version of Soul Calibur IV was to sport a mandatory 6.7GB install and 2GB save files.  This was especially surprising, since it was my impression that Sony’s imposed install limit was 5GB’s.  Moreover, I remain under the opinion that game’s needn’t use an install over 2GB, if at all.

There was another amusing discovery that brought credence to Soul Calibur IV having an install fetish.  Xbox.com listed the game as requiring a HDD. This has since been corrected, unlike Alone in the Dark’s web-page.

Thankfully, the PS3 install size has been confirmed to have shrunk to 2.85GB’s, with save files at a more believable 2MB (though this will increase when you create your own characters).  It was still presumed that the install was mandatory, but Videogaming247 is reporting that at least the UK version’s install is  optional.  Phew.

Remember Soul Calibur, the game that made you purchase the Sega Dreamcast? Now, imagine it again in HD, because it’s happening, baby! Namco has confirmed that an HD remake of Soul Calibur is on its way this summer and for now, at least, it seems that it’ll make itself comfortable exclusively on XBLA.

And since it’s hot on the heels of the release date confirmation of Soul Calibur IV, this’ll be a great way to get hyped and give them more money before Soul Calibur IV — providing that it actually releases prior to Soul Calibur IV, of course.

One peculiar thing worth noting is the apparent lack of online play; the press release only indicates local-play. This may be a big downer, but if the visuals are brought back right, it may still be worth it.

Press release:

Soulcalibur
Release Date: Summer 2008
Platform: Xbox LIVE Arcade

The highest rated console fighting game ever is back again for a new generation! Sharpen your blades and relive old grudges against classic adversaries in high definition. Prove your mettle against the world with a variety of leaderboards spanning every character and mode. Match your wits and fighting instincts in Arcade, Training and Survival modes, or challenge a friend in local-play Versus mode.

For more information on PowerUp Forever and Soulcalibur, please visit:
http:// www.namcobandaigames.com

With Grand Theft Auto IV and Metal Gear Solid 4 release dates announced, it’s already the year of 4s and Namco Bandai has clued us in on when Soul Calibur IV is dropping for North America. Now if only Capcom would give us that Street Fighter IV.

Come to think of it, if Street Fighter IV does indeed release before years end, I’ll consider it the year of the 4s and the year of fighters– they’re definitely making the presence felt.

Namco has confirmed that we can expect to see it around July 29, should everything go to plan. As usual, it will launch in regular and limited edition packages with an unusual $20 markup (as opposed to $10, a la MGS4).

Consumers who pick up the premium edition will get an art book/comic that serves as a prequel leading into the “story” of Soul Calibur IV, a tournament kit, and exclusive access to extra customization content. The exact type of content is still unknown, as is the content of the tournament kit. All we know is that it will provide fans “the opportunity to document the battle amongst friends.”

Oh, and the premium edition comes in metal packaging (basically, a tin can).

Source: GameSpot UK

Categorize this under ‘straight out of left field.’ Earlier today, 1UP’s James Mielke posted a news story revealing that Namco Bandai somehow acquired rights to Star Wars characters, specifically the Sith to rule all Siths, Darth Vader (only available on the PS3), and the tiny but mighty Yoda (only available on the 360).

Seriously, what the hell? I don’t really wanna fight Darth Vader as Ivy, and I don’t wanna fight Kilik as Yoda. What’s next — Chewy?! I guess I’m just hating for no reason, because I was pretty okay with fighting as Link on Soul Calibur III. I should be happy about awesome bonus characters, but I can’t articulate all the feelings that I’m feeling really well right now.

If you need me, I’m gonna go wallow in a corner as I figure out what my life will be like when this game gets released.

Source: 1UP