Ubisoft’s captivating god-sim From Dust is off to a sound start, with the publisher proclaiming today that it has broken digital sales records for the company. First day sales eclipsed all previous Ubisoft offerings to date on XBLA.

While an exact figure wasn’t given, Ubisoft noted that sales were 45 percent higher than its previous best-selling XBLA release. Moreover, Ubi says pre-orders are “tracking very well” for the August 17-bound PC release.

The title is currently exclusive to Xbox 360, though it’s scheduled to hit Steam and other digital storefronts later this month. Availability on PSN will come “soon.”

Capcom’s axed its conceptually promising 2.5D platformer Mega Man Universe. A planned downloadable effort, the title was announced as PSN and XBLA bound last July, with Capcom touting it as a “revolutionary take on the seminal classic.” Indeed, it was a fresh take, with an emphasis on user-generated content. Among its main draws were extensive character customization, in addition to a built-in level editor. Some described it as LittleBigPlanet meets Mega Man.

Capcom vaguely states it made the decision due to “various reasons,” further apologizing to fans for any disappointment in an official statement. The project was conceived by Keiji Inafune, who ended his 23-year run at Capcom last year.

Ubisoft’s stylish action-platformer Outland is slated for a “late April to early May’ release, the PlayStation Blog has revealed. A separate tweet from developer Housemarque reveals that the XBLA edition is due out “around the same time,” though no exact date was specified.

Announced last September, the title features exploration elements that have been likened to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, in addition to a polarity-driven combat system that allows players to switch between light and dark energy alignments. The concept mimics that of Dreamcast shooter Ikaruga.

The accessible yet involving gameplay, combined with stunning HD visuals on a 2D plane, is shaping up into something special. We think. Check out more screenshots after the break for a closer look. more »

After a lengthy period of silence, French site Jeuxvideo has broke word that Ubisoft’s survival-adventure I Am Alive has been re-positioned as a downloadable effort. It’s now scheduled to hit PSN and XBLA sometime this year.

Ubisoft has remained tight-lipped regarding the title following its initial announcement nearly three years ago. It was also subject to a delay in 2009, which saw development duties transferred to Ubisoft’s Shanghai branch.

Given Ubisoft’s year-end release target, here’s hoping a proper unveiling in on the cards soon.

The sequel to Capcom’s hit swinging retro-revival, Bionic Commando Rearmed 2, will hit the digital storefronts of PSN and Xbox Live Arcade on February 2, the company announced today.

Rearmed 2 does away with the bolted-down mechanics of the original, introducing what we all take for granted in platformers: the ability to jump.

It’ll set you back $14.99 or 1200 MS Points. There’s no word on a Steam release.

With commerical indie titles still trickling out nearly a decade later, it’s clear the Dreamcast has a strong fan backing.  Sega is aware of this, obviously. That’s why they’re rising to the opportunity to release a ‘Dreamcast Collection’ on current-gen platforms. Company exec Alan Pritchard let the cat of the bag in a recent interview with GameInformer. Retail wrapped releases are reportedly on the cards, along with digital re-releases, some of which have already hit PSN and XBL — Crazy Taxi for one.

The Dreamcast fans are very devoted. You see on eBay people are still buying the games and system. We actually have a Dreamcast collection coming out soon. We are looking to bring some of the old Dreamcast games to market digitally and packaged.

There’s no word on what the compilation will consist of, but expect it to represent some of the best of Dreamcast’s short-lived glory days, akin to the previously released Genesis collection.

Hudson’s destruction-masquerading mascot will return to the limelight once again in Bomberman Live: Battlefest next month. It’s due out December 8 on XBLA, the company announced today.

The title is a sequel to Bomberman Live, which has sold more than 500,000 units to date. As 8-person online multiplayer returns, Battlefest spices up Hudson’s age-old run ‘n bomb formula with new power-ups like the cluster bomb, rocket bomb and laser bomb. more »

Sam Fisher’s original espionage stints are receiving the HD remake treatment, according to Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. The revelation was dropped during the company’s 2010-2011 earnings call this week, according to an IGN report.

Beyond the fact that Ubi is prepping a trilogy release of the first three Splinter Cell titles akin to its recent Prince of Persia revival, little is known about these remakes. more »

Shinjuku, Japan-based independent developer CAVE announced today that Guwange will release worldwide on November 10, marking its first “exclusive” Xbox Live Arcade effort. A vertical-scrolling shooter, the title sports a distinct old-school feel, as evidenced by the pixel-heavy visuals.

The announcement comes as a result of a fan poll that CAVE ran on its in-house development blog last year. Of the shooters listed, Guwange took the no. 1 spot in popularity. more »

With a restored edition of Sega’s over-the-top cab racer Crazy Taxi due out on PSN and XBLA in November, the company saw fit to pin down firm release dates today. It’s slated to hit PSN on November 23, with a XBLA release following on November 24. It’ll set you back 800 MS Points ($9.99).

Following its 1999 debut in arcades, the title quickly garnered worldwide appeal when it was ported over to Sega’s now-defunct Dreamcast. The addictive mix of chauffeuring and stunt-based gameplay made for a crazy premise. more »