A special mode dedicated to Jordan, Creating a Legend, will be unlocked once you complete all 10 parts of the Jordan Challenge.

This is a brand new experience that we’re delivering to our users this year, and it’s a mode that’s not immediately available when you purchase the game.  The idea behind MJ: Creating a Legend is that you’re going to step into today’s NBA with a rookie Michael Jordan.  He is rated a 79 overall, which gives you plenty of room to improve, but he has all of the physical tools of Michael as a rookie — the fast speed, the high jumping, the quickness — but he lacks a lot of the shooting skills and the offensive and defensive awareness. So you’re playing with a raw prospect who can do just about anything, but can’t deliver in the clutch just yet.  And the cool thing about this mode is that you’re player-locked to Michael Jordan, so you’re kind of recreating the career and the legend of Michael Jordan."

- NBA 2K11 Producer, Erick Boenisch.

While it’s probably better to have this mode open without completing the challenge, it’s a nice reward for players that actually attempt to match Jordan’s epic feats.  If you’re unfamiliar with player lock, it sticks you to that player, taking away control from the rest of the team.  This way you’ll have to learn to play as a cog on the team.  You’ll have to set screens, play your part in a set play, and defend your man.  I, for one, cannot wait to put him on the Knicks and demolish the Heat when they come to town.

[via ESPN]

LA Galaxy’s Landon Donovan will be making his third appearance on the cover of a FIFA Soccer game.  While he won’t be alone, he’ll be joining Real Madrid’s Kaka and Arsenal’s Carlos Vela on the cover. 

Landon is the most recognizable, popular and accomplished soccer player in the United States and he was at his best with the world watching during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.  After his FIFA World Cup™ performance and the season he had with the Galaxy last year we felt he belonged back on the cover of FIFA Soccer 11.”

- Matt Bilbey, Vice President of Soccer, EA SPORTS

After his inspired play during this year’s World Cup, he is at the height of his career and fame and it only makes sense to put him up there.  This is a smart move as Soccer fever suddenly hit the US.  EA is looking to capitalize on this new interest by using their most recognizable, home grown athlete to push the game out to the masses.

Set to release on September 28th, preorder your copy here.

With the recently defeated Fedor heading up the division, EA Sports MMA’s roster is turning out to be more impressive than I initially thought it would be.  Getting legends like Couture and Shamrock to help fill out the roster certainly help.  While everything looks amazing, how the control scheme and gameplay end up working out will be the dealbreaker.

If you’re unfamiliar with the above set of angry looking faces, hit the break to see a legend listing all the fighters.

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With Kane & Lynch 2 a week away from release, Eidos is preparing preorder items and trickling out more previews of this co-op focused shooter.  They have implemented an interesting set of pre-order bonuses, splitting them up into four different types.  There appear to be no store exclusive bonuses, giving the buyer the option to choose between any of the available packs.

Preorder details and video footage after the break.

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Patrick first reported about the release date and name of the new Batman game being developed by Rocksteady earlier today.  Game Informer has gotten the exclusive scoop on the highly anticipated sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum and has released this image of their upcoming cover.  Obviously the biggest reveal is Catwoman with Two Face looming in the background.  She’s been given an interesting makeover.

Alternate cover image after the break.

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Chris Snyder, Director of Marketing for 2K Sports, has revealed some information regarding Jordan’s involvement with the highly anticipated release of NBA 2K11. 

“It was tough to narrow down the list to just ten, but we wanted to pick games and moments that were career-defining and that translated well to replicating through a video game.  Michael has been great with feedback.  When he talks we are definitely all ears.  He also didn’t shut it down when we sent it in for approval.  So I like to think we picked a good list.”

As if Cleveland wasn’t miserable enough, you can have them relive one of the most demoralizing moments in their city’s long history of sports failure, as Craig Ehlo gets abused for 4 quarters.

Full list and details of 10 of Jordan’s career defining moments after the jump.

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Two more characters have been revealed for Marvel Vs. Capcom 3:  Thor and Amaretsu.  It looks like the roster will continue to trickle out from now until the game finally releases next year.

More shots of them in action after the jump.

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2K Sports dares you to attempt to recreate some of Jordan’s greatest feats during his illustrious career in the NBA.  NBA 2K11 will have a new mode called the Jordan Challenge, where your skills will be put to the test.

While playing The Jordan Challenge, fans can try to stun the world in Jordan’s self-described greatest game by torching the Cavaliers by 69 points in March of 1990; attempt to battle back from the flu to defeat the Jazz in Game 6 of the 1997 finals; or leave the world wanting more as they relive one of Jordan’s finest performances during his last game as a Chicago Bull on June 14, 1998. In addition to The Jordan Challenge mode, gamers will have the unique opportunity to play as some of the greatest teams in NBA history, including the ‘85-’86, ’89-’90, ’90-’91, ’94-’95, ’95-’96, ’96-’97, and ’97-’98 Chicago Bulls.

Trailer after the jump.

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EA Sports immensely popular boxing franchise, Fight Night, is stepping back into the ring.  As  hard as it is to believe, the graphics look even better this time around.  As you can see Manny’s rarely battered face to the right, the effects of taking a pummeling has taken a step up compared to its predecessor, Fight Night Round 4.

EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 4 was a genre defining game, and led the way as the industry transitioned to physics-based sports games. EA SPORTS Fight Night Champion will again forge new ground and deliver a sports experience unlike anything seen in the genre to date.

EA Vancouver is touting the single player experience to be unrivaled in all of sports gaming.  While Fight Night Round 4 certainly had an entertaining single player, it was not without faults.  You can our full Fight Night Round 4 review here.

Fight Night Champion will break the mold of what is expected in a single-player sports game. Players will be introduced to an entirely new way to step between the ropes and experience the drama, emotion, excitement and tragedy of world championship boxing.

Featuring a refined physics-based animation system that incorporates improved locomotion, punching and stamina mechanics, Fight Night Champion will enable users to move, attack and dodge with the speed and power of the best champions, contenders and pretenders in the world of boxing. In addition, an all-new control scheme, dubbed Full Spectrum Punch Control, will deliver the most realistic punching system ever seen in a simulation fighting game, while still delivering an accessible experience that will make Fight Night Champion the most user-friendly title in the franchise’s history.

There are still some details that are kept under wraps, but it will be a full retail release and not just an expansion.  It is slated for a 2011 release date, but nothing is set in stone for the time being.

It looks like your first foray back into the void of Dead Space will take form in a prequel arcade title.  Titled Dead Space Ignition, Executive Director Steve Papoutsis says that it “is the first of many exciting game extensions we have planned for the launch of Dead Space 2. The interactive comic-style game will give Dead Space fans a unique perspective on the events leading up to Dead Space 2, and will also introduce the storyline to a brand-new audience of gamers.”

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