Ubisoft has announced Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific, the new installment in the submarine simulation franchise. Scheduled for release for PC in Spring 2007, the game will take players to the depths of the Pacific Ocean as the skipper of an American submarine.

The game will feature innovative crew evolution, having the player earn upgrades and experience to help create the most effective naval forces; diverse mission objectives on more than 15 maps; and new online gameplay modes.

Nintendo has announced Mario’s first basketball appearance on the DS - Mario Slam Basketball. Developed by Square Enix, the game will feature Mario & co. in 3D out on the courts, dunking balls and whatnot.

Mario Slam Basketball is the first game of its type to give players total control of the ball. Players really will be able to dribble and Slam-Dunk with the tip of their finger! The fast paced action features classic Nintendo and Final Fantasy characters and is perfectly suited to the Nintendo DS using a combination of the touch screen and D-pad to dribble, pass and take shots, all with strokes and taps of the stylus. The slightly more flash players can also show off several special moves; by tapping a unique sequence of dots that mark the first initial of the character’s name, players can unleash awe inspiring new skills, with the potential of doubling their score.

Create your own three player, all-star team by selecting from popular Nintendo characters such as Mario, Luigi and even Princess Peach herself! What’s more developer Square Enix has included a whole host of famous Final Fantasy characters to choose from. Collecting coins during matches is especially important as they can affect the score. So, before going for a slam-dunk players will need to collect as many coins as they can in order to bag the highest possible score.

The basketball court isn’t the place for the faint hearted. Magic Johnson and Dennis Rodman may be stars on the real court, but faced with players holding red shells it takes an all new-type of player to really show their skill on the DS court! The referee seems to be asleep so anything goes on this basketball court! Players can use Red and Green shells, Bo-bombs, Bananas and Stars to turn the tide of the game, obstruct other players and even chase down coins.

Mario Slam Basketball features three single player modes that allow players to participate in major basketball tournaments, exhibition matches and hone their vital skills. In Practice Mode, players can focus on their weak points and strive to become superstars. Exhibition Mode allows players to select their own customised team to play against the CPU in a quick match. Finally Tourney mode lets players try out their skills in a choice of four tournaments- Mushroom, Flower, Star and Rainbow. When a Tourney has been completed, ‘Hard mode’ is activated where the really hardcore players can battle it out against even fiercer opponents.

Desperate to wipe the court with your friends? Now you can with three exciting wireless multi-player modes to select: Exhibition, Dribble Race, and Coin Hunter, plus two single download play modes. Test who can hold on to the most coins until the end of the game, or take part in a Dribble Race. If you’re desperate to show off who’s the winner, players can even store results and rankings. Mario Slam Basketball also has the ability to let friends cut in. While playing, a message will pop up and alert players that a new opponent has been found so players can compete in some serious on court action.

Mario Slam Basketball will be released across Europe on November 10; it will retail for £30.

Ubisoft sends word that it will publish Asphalt: Urban GT 2, a driving simulator from Gameloft, for the DS and PSP in November 2006 and March 2007, respectively.

The sequel to the original, which was critically acclaimed for its content and engaging gameplay, Urban GT 2 will feature 30 tracks and 36 licensed cars and motorcycles. It will also feature music from Moby and music and appearances from the Pussycat Dolls.

Sega has announced that Sonic Riders is in development for the PC for release this Holiday season.

In Sonic Riders, Sonic and his friends are on a mission to foil the evil Dr. Eggman and his new henchmen, the Babylon Rogues. Dr.Eggman has created the Ex World Grand Prix; a no-holds barred racing series where the fastest “riders” in the world participate in this tournament. Never one to turn down a challenge to prove his speed, Sonic and his friends join the tournament and uncover Dr. Eggman’s true intentions. In Sonic Riders, players race on air boards through 13 amazingly detailed and challenging courses in either single player or 2 player multi-player mode. The innovatively designed tracks are filled with collectables, jump ramps for high flying acrobatic tricks, and long rails for grinding action. Riders will also ride “Turbulence” - waves generated from other riders - to boost their own speed. “Turbulence” can also be used as a moving half-pipe so riders can perform aerial tricks while racing past fellow competitors.

Sonic Riders is rated “E” for “Everyone” by the ESRB, and will retail for $20.

The company also plans on releasing Virtua Tennis 3 on PSP and PC, alongside the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions in Spring 2007. Sega also announced that the game will include a host of superstar tennis players from both the male and female circuits. Notables include Amelie Mauresmo, Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams, Martina Hingis in the female circuit; the male circuit will see Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, and many others.

For those players who don’t want to embody their favorite superstars, they can create their own tennis superstar and take part in the brand new iteration of the World Tour Mode. The game will also include 10 brand new mini-games, as well as two classic mini-games. Multiplayer will make its appearance in the form of “Court Games” that will allow players to go head-to-head against up to three opponents.

As stated above, Virtua Tennis 3 is set for release on PC, PSP, PS3 and Xbox 360 in Spring 2007.

From Leipzig comes word from Electronic Arts that the mega publisher has acquired Phenomic Game Development, the studio behind popular game franchise SpellForce and The Settlers. Now renamed EA Phenomic, the German studio becomes part of EA’s profile in Europe, with a team dedicated to developing RTS games for PC and consoles.

Phenomic’s management team will continue their current roles and will remain in its present location in Ingelheim and work within the management structure of EA’s studios in the region.