The latest issue of US publication Electronic Gaming Monthly is now out over in North America and the main details have been divulged by the ever-reliable folk over at NeoGAF, highlighting how it seems a Castlevania game is coming for Wii, plus Tecmo Bowl is definitely heading to Nintendo formats, as well as talking about the possibility of more Halo on Xbox 360, Persona 4 for PlayStation 2 and Bioshock heading to PlayStation 3.

Electronic Gaming Monthly has previously hinted at the prospect of Tecmo’s resurrection of the Tecmo Bowl franchise on Nintendo DS and Wii, but this month’s edition confirms the game’s existence. The publication’s cover story this month is on ‘Retro Revivals’, with features on the following games based on old properties that are being completely revitalised for the new generation:

• Splatterhouse,
• Bionic Commando,
• Sonic Unleashed,
• Street Fighter 4,
• Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff for Wii/Nintendo DS,
• Alone in the Dark,
• Tetris Wii,
• Alien Crush Wii,
• Bomberman Wii,
• 1942: Joint Strike,
• Commando 3,
• Space Invaders Extreme,
• Golden Axe: Beast Rider.

A quick glance at that list reveals the existence of Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff, which is seemingly confirmed now for both Wii and Nintendo DS, solidifying the rumour from a couple of months back that stated the original would appear in portable format, with a completely re-envisaged version being created for Wii.

Below is the teaser trailer that Tecmo put out last May, which many believed highlighted the game’s revival for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, whilst the second video clip shows just how the original Nintendo Entertainment System edition looked, to give a taster of what to expect from the DS edition:

Next up is the popular rumours section, which covers the following points:

• A Third-Person Halo prequel will be readied for the Holiday period in 2009;
• Bioshock will be coming to the PlayStation 3 in September 2008 with all the download content and improved visuals, whilst Bioshock 2 will be unveiled around the same time;
• Max Payne 3, Red Dead Revolver 2, LA Noire are all set for the Xbox 360 in addition to a Grand Theft Auto Massively Multiplayer Online title;
• Persona 4 on the PlayStation 2 is due in North America before the end of 2008 from Atlus, whilst an edition of the popular Persona role-playing game will come to the PlayStation Portable, as well as the PlayStation 3 in the near future;
• Rock Band 2 is coming and will feature new modes;
• Konami has a new Castlevania game in the works for both Nintendo DS and Wii, with a 3D version heading to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3;
• The Metal Gear Solid 4 PlayStation 3 bundle will be extremely limited, so if you have not pre-ordered by around June, chances are people will simply miss out.

Clearly more Halo has to be a given considering just how strong sales of Halo 3 have been so far, whilst Bioshock PS3 would not be a major shock either. Persona 4 would appear to be overkill, since Persona 3 and the Fes edition have only just been released, but clearly Atlus will be very aware of the need to get its PlayStation 2 roster translated as soon as possible to avoid disappointing sales as interest in Sony’s older format begins to fade.

As for the way the Castlevania rumour is worded, it seems to imply that the Wii edition will not be a 3D adventure, adding considerable weight to the possibility of January’s rumour of a Wii-DS Castlevania link-up being true (as can be seen in the screenshots thought to be Order of Ecclesia on DS below). As for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions, presumably Konami will take the successful formula used for Lament of Innocence on PlayStation 2 (seen below) and considerably polish that up with numerous extras being included (again, if true, which would be shocking if it were not, in all honesty). There has also been talk of Koji Igarashi-san, the lead on Castlevania projects nowadays, wanting to do two games based on the 1999 event in the Castlevania storyline, so linking the DS and Wii versions could fit with this, whilst the other rumour that has been floating around about the Clive Barler’s Jericho studio working on a next generation edition of the series could link with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 talk.

In terms of this month’s reviews, there are a few shockers, namely the low score for Mario Kart Wii (B+, C+, C, stating there are a few great new tracks and power-ups, but the gameplay is dumbed-down and the design is predictable) the high marking for Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy on Wii (A, A-, B-, stating there is a rich level/object editor, yet that is pretty much it after beating the main campaign). The other high scoring titles were Grand Theft Auto IV (A+, A+, A) and Persona 3: Fed (A, A, A). Interestingly enough, EGM says that the main bonus for the Xbox 360 version is the download content, whilst the PlayStation 3 edition looks slightly more vibrant and sharp on the whole.

Finally, next month is set to be a great issue, with the cover story being Gears of War 2 and the key previews being based around Banjo Kazooie 3, Infamous and Project Origin, whilst there will be reviews of Metal Gear Solid 4, Ninja Gaiden 2, Wii Fit and Final Fantasy Tactics A2, amongst others.

Stick around for further updates…