CVG reports of a delay to Universe at War, an upcoming RTS that is being published by Sega. According to the article, the game has been pushed back to further tune it to satisfy the players’ expectations.

The delay only affects European regions though. As per this post on the Petroglyph forums, the setback does not affect the US launch that is on November 2.

Following in the vein of games like Beatmania and Guitar Hero, Playpen Studios has announced Skillz, “the original Nightclub DJ game.” As the description implies, the game will include a turntable controller having players mix and scratch their way to DJ stardom. Play modes include single-player story, two-player DJ battle and freestyle mix mode, alongside online community features.

Interestingly, Skillz will allow players to create their own rhythms as well as play through the ones included in the game. The game is expected to hit PC and consoles late next year.

Not coming as a big surprise to anyone, Halo 3 has topped the list of most-played game on Xbox Live, according to this Major Nelson blog post. At number 2 is Gears of War, which was the undoubted winner till now. Guitar Hero 2, BioShock and Call of Duty 4 (beta) also make appearances on the list.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Fallout, Bethesda is running a contest to allow one lucky gamer to name one of the many perks in Fallout 3, the upcoming entry in the post-apocalyptic RPG.

“Think of something in the spirit of Fallout,” states the website. “What would you really want your character to be able to do in the game? Don’t worry about any stat requirements or the level you would get it at. Just design a cool perk and we’ll fit it in where it could go.”

One winner will take home one of two grand prizes, which includes their choice of either an ATI or NVIDIA video card or an Xbox 360 console. Additionally, that person will receive Logitech speakers, a Vault Boy bobblehead and more. Runner-ups and honorable mention prizes were also mentioned. The contest ends on October 31.

Publisher Sierra sent out word that the Xbox 360 version of World in Conflict won’t be seen until sometime in 2008. Already released for the PC, the Massive Entertainment strategy was originally scheduled to hit the console this Fall.

The Wii is being used almost everywhere, ranging from cruise ships to gyms. Add physical therapy center to that list. Minneapolis-based WCCO reports that therapists at the local Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute have begun using the console’s Wii Sports software to restore stroke victims.

Apparently, it works. Jerry Pope, a 77-year old former semi-pro tennis player, has begun using the Wii Tennis activity of the game, which has helped him regain movement in his hands and feet, as well as regain balance.

“Not only am I moving the hand, my feet are moving, I am jumping around, it is as if I am really playing the game,” said Pope. “It is motivational, makes you feel like you are progressing, even if you are not and that helps you.”

Officials at the center are contemplating a clinical study to investigate further usefulness of the game in physical therapy.

Newsweek’s N’Gai Croal carries confirmation from Sony that a cheaper edition of Warhawk will be retailing sometime later this month. The company will offer a $39.99 version of the game, the same price point as offered on the PlayStation Store, which does not include the Bluetooth headset offered in the $59.99 bundle.

According to this GameStop listing, the game-only version is set to hit stores on October 10.

Two new Hellgate: London videos have been released, showing off some major gameplay from the upcoming action-RPG. The embedded video below shows off the Covent Garden Underground Station level, which includes a boss battle. I haven’t hosted the other video, which is a Quest Design document demonstrating two in-game quests, but it can be found on Gametrailers.

The Wii shortages will roll into this Holiday season, according to statements made by Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime. He has told the San Jose Mercury News that the company simply cannot meet consumer demand for the coming season. “The issue is not a lack of production. The issue is we went in with a curve that was aggressive, but the demand has been substantially more than that,” he said. “And the ability to ramp up production and to sustain it is not a switch that you flick on. We’re working very hard to make sure that consumers are satisfied this holiday, but I can’t guarantee that we’re going to meet demand. As a matter of fact, I can tell you on the record we won’t.”

He went on to recommend that eager buyers check out the “likely suspects,” some of which include Best Buy, Circuit City, GameStop and Wal-Mart, and ask about shipment schedules, which he said would be frequent.

One of the world’s oldest and popular puzzles games of all time - Tetris - will be hitting Xbox Live Arcade today in the form of Tetris Splash. The game has undergone an aquatic treatment and will feature online multiplayer for up to six players, as well as act as a virtual fish tank, among other things.

This week’s additions to the Wii Virtual Console service are two very rare ones: Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, the sequel to the original SMB, and Sin & Punishment, an action-packed Japanese shooter that was never-before released in the West. Here’s the deal:

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (NES, 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Originally released in Japan as Super Mario Bros.2, this game has previously made only brief cameo appearances in the Western Hemisphere. Now available on the Virtual Console in all of its original splendor, Mario fans will appreciate the familiar look and feel of the game, while finding that its updated game play creates an entirely new challenge. No longer content just to wear different-colored overalls, Mario and Luigi also possess different skill sets: Mario can stop quicker, while Luigi can jump higher. In addition to the classic enemies already known to fans worldwide, there are also Poison Mushrooms, backward Warp Zones, and the occasional wind gust (which can help or hinder your progress) to take into account. And if that’s somehow not enough, expert players can go looking for the game’s secret worlds. So get ready to put your Mario skills to the ultimate test, and save the Princess again. Just don’t be surprised if she’s in another castle.

Sin & Punishment (Nintendo 64, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, 1,200 Wii Points): Created by the legendary development studio Treasure, this is a game that hard-core gamers and fans of Japanese imports recognize as one of the finest Nintendo 64 titles to have never previously reached North American shores. Its unique combination of English voice-overs with Japanese subtitles (preserved in this version) has only added to the enthusiasm for its eventual release here. Experience the frenetic pace of a classic shooter, while choosing from a variety of options and a number of different skill levels until you are ready to take on the full-blown challenge of Turbo Hard mode. Not to be outdone by the action, however, the intriguing story line gives the game its soul and draws you even further into the mix. Set in the near future, on an overpopulated Earth starved for resources, players uncover the intriguing mystery of two teenagers (Saki and Airan) and their battle against the Ruffians as they advance through level after level of nonstop action. Take a deep breath, gather your energy and prepare to see why this game is so highly praised.

In strategy news, publisher Paradox Interactive announced that they are working on Europa Universalis: Rome, the next installment in the successful franchise.

Covering the time period from the first Punic War to the start of the true Empire, Rome will offer users thousands of gameplay choices ranging from country, culture, provincial and character options, just to name a few.

“A truly challenging strategy game portraying the Roman Era has yet to be released and we believe strategy gamers have been kept waiting for long enough, said Fredrik Wester, Executive Vice President for Paradox Interactive.”Our successful development team has the knowledge, skills and genre expertise to create a strong strategy game to accurately represent the Roman Era and we are more than excited to introduce this game to the strategy gaming community. ”

The game is scheduled for worldwide release during Q2 2008. Further details can be found on the publisher’s website.

Coming as good news to fans of Wii’s Virtual Console service, Nintendo has announced that it will soon release NEOGEO titles on the service, offering games from the console that has produced a cult following.

The first NEOGEO title to launch on the service will be Fatal Fury, one of the earliest fighting games dating from 1991. This will be followed by two other retro fighting games from 1992 - World Heroes and Art of Fighting. These will be joined by more in the future. All titles will be available to download for 900 Wii points.

Those looking to get a Halo 3 Xbox 360 console for free should participate in the Goozex Facebook program. The online video game trading site has announced a Facebook member sweepstakes for the month of October, giving away the aforementioned special edition console to four lucky winners.

The promotion is open only to US and Canadian residents who are members of the popular social networking site. Members will need to download and share the new application developed by Goozex. Winners will be selected based on the number of active friends they invite and who use the application. The Goozex-developed application allows users to share their own game reviews, ratings and personal libraries with their friends and other users of the website.

Yet more King of Fighters is heading for us, courtesy of SNK Playmore. The series publisher has announced KOF XI, the eleventh entry in the series for release on the PS2 later this Fall. The game expands on the franchise’s formula with new strategic options like Quick Shift and Saving Shift, as well as match-deciding factors like Judgment Indicator and Dream Cancel. Additionally, the title also offers extra characters, bonus stages and brand-new music.

They also announced another fighting game - NEOGEO Battle Coliseum, which is also due out on the PS2 later this Fall. The game employs a two vs. two tag-team battle system allowing players to switch characters during play and perform team attacks on their opponents. The game includes 40 characters from various franchises like Metal Slug, Samurai Showdown, Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting, among many.