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G4 — once a TV channel dedicated to gaming, now a TV channel dedicated to some things — has been dropped by the DirecTV service after Nielsen data suggested it was one of the lowest rated networks in town. 

“We are constantly evaluating our lineup in a new world where programming costs continue to rise at significant rates,” says a spokesman for DirecTV. “Since G4 is among the lowest rated networks based on the latest Nielsen data, we decided that it made sense to focus on preserving programming that is more relevant to our larger customer base.”

G4 seems pretty pissed, explaining that it offered DirecTV the same deal it had done for the past three years but that DirecTV plans to "deny G4 fans the only network that focuses on the popular gaming lifestyle."

It's a sad fact that any kind of specialty network is nearly always doomed to lose its identity or die. There's a reason why Dairy Queen sells burgers, and it's not because you need to wash down ice cream with a slab of beef. It's sad that every channel needs to eventually become the same thing in order to succeed, but that's the distinct impression I get when I look at most major networks these days. 

DirecTV drops G4 [Entertainment Weekly]

Don't be fooled by the name — No Heroes Allowed! is, in fact, part of the Badman trilogy. I can only assume that the naming scheme for these games is supposed to be messed up (in a good way) and silly, sort of like the games themselves.

This latest installment hits PlayStation Network tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow. Surprise! No Heroes Allowed! is the same great dungeon-building title as always, but this time there's a new water mechanic, various types of pickaxes, and ad-hoc multiplayer.

Much as I love the concept of a virtual ecosystem with evolving organisms, I've played the previous two games. The Badman fatigue is in full effect at this point, regardless of the fair $9.99 price tag this time around. If you're new to the series, this looks like a good starting point, though.

No Heroes Allowed! Hits PSN Tomorrow for PSP with Dungeon-A-Day, Multiplayer [PlayStation.Blog]

http://publishers.springboard.gorillanation.com/admin/videos/new_edit/357/210189

One warrior alone won't be able to protect Etheria from hordes of monsters when Trendy Entertainment's Xbox Live Arcacde, PlayStation Network, and PC title Dungeon Defenders hits this fall. It'll take a team of up to four players (online and off), and key to that team will be the eager Apprentice. 

http://publishers.springboard.gorillanation.com/admin/videos/new_edit/357/210185

2K Games won't let the mob saga of Joey Barbaro and Vito Scaletta die. On November 23, Barbaro's story continues with the 'Joe's Adventures' downloadable content pack for Mafia II. 

For those of you who have really begun to dig into Super Meat Boy, you might have run into an issue or two. For some players, the bandages they earn in levels aren't showing up on the map as "collected," but their total bandage count is increasing.

Yeah, that's not supposed to happen. On a related note, earning the same bandage multiple times can lead to problems with the autosave functionality not working properly. Thankfully, Team Meat is on top of it, and should have a title update with the necessarily remedies soon.

There's also the more common issue of the timer being stuck at zero seconds when players switch characters right after entering a level, which is making the leaderboards look silly. That's also a known issue, so nothing to fret over.

Super Meat Boy [Twitter via Joystiq]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvGohu3ADEA

I've been playing Noumenon Games' debut title, Nimbus, and it is an absolute delight. I'm fairly certain the vast majority of you haven't even heard of it, which we can hopefully help remedy.

It's a puzzle game with an emphasis on figuring out how to fly through a level in the fastest way possible. The attached trailer does a decent job of conveying what Nimbus is all about, although I will say the video makes it look far easier than the game actually is.

Anyway, you can expect to see Nimbus hit Steam next Monday. I don't know what the pricing will be like, but I do know this game rules.

I bitched and bitched. I talked to everyone and no one.  I'd sometimes just talk to myself, mumbling quietly about how Japanese puzzle game Magical Drop wasn't available on my game systems. Yes, I have import versions (my favorite being the Sega Saturn version), but I dreamed of booting up one of my current gen systems and playing with visitors, or taking it along with me to play on the go, on a portable. No one cared until now.

My dreams have come true with the release of Magical Drop F on the PlayStation Network. Now puzzle-y goodness is there at my fingertips, whenever I need it. I can recommend this $5.99 title to any puzzle fan, but there are some things you need to know first.

Magical Drop F (PlayStation Network)
Developer: Data East
Publisher: MonkeyPaw Games
Price: $5.99

MonkeyPaw brings these virtual imports over without translating the text. For most of their releases up to this point the language barrier is not an issue, but I could see how someone not versed in Japanese would get lost in the menus of this title. Beyond that, the game's main attraction, the adventure game, will be totally inaccessible for non-Japanese speakers. Don't let that stop you, though. There's still plenty of that classic Magical Drop action packed inside this download. Besides, MonkeyPaw has a web translation of menus and key game aspects.

Last week I felt a very familiar feeling, one that I hadn't felt in awhile. It was the not-blinking eye burns, which is felt when I'm in deep concentration playing 2-player matches in Magical Drop. My eyes were brilliant red with dryness in this marathon session, but it hurt so good. This version of the match-three puzzler changes things up a bit from previous games. The basics are the same: you pick up any number of same-colored gems from a game board, move left or right, and then drop them to make three in a row, clearing them. In this outing you'll actually pick power-ups prior to battle, letting you do some kind of preventative planning going in. Another slight difference is the character art. They still have the sexy, busty Tarot girls, but they're more serious looking this time around, and maybe a tad bit less anime-ish. Otherwise, it's the same frantic puzzler that importers have been bragging about for years. 

Is it worth your $6 for the single and 2-player puzzle bouts? Certainly. This is one of those puzzle games you'll keep coming back to. I've hooked so many newcomers to this game in the past, and now I'm happy to tell them that they can have a copy for themselves, and no longer need to come to my house to play. 

If you're not that good with Japanese but are feeling adventurous, check out the main story. It plays like a little role-playing game, and has lovely art. The "battles" are played out on a Magical Drop game board instead of some silly turn-based affair. It's not near as fancy or complex as the fantastic and flash animated opening movie would lead you to believe, but it is cute and worth checking out.  You don't see puzzle game RPGs every day, right?

Magical Drop F is a game that I know many have been waiting for in the western world. Well, waiting for or importing. For it to finally debut here at $5.99 seems like something that's too good to be true. The ability to play it on both PS3 and PSP for one price is even better.  Hats off to MonkeyPaw Games for finally making this classic available to everyone. While it may not be the most accessible game at first glance, it's easy to get into and really rewarding to stick with. Things get even better as you learn more about game strategy and begin to feel more competitive. Download it. Love it. Share it with with a friend.

8.5 — Great (8s are impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.)

http://publishers.springboard.gorillanation.com/admin/videos/new_edit/357/210043

When I create these Deal listings I usually pick some of the best stuff that ends up in our inbox or on my desk. I'm loyal to no outlet, though I do prefer Amazon for their free shipping (yay for Amazon Prime) and no tax. But Target wins today with several good deals that will be available in-store this weekend. There's no Target affiliation here. I'm honestly more of a Walmart guy. I like to walk among the real people of America. I dream of being photographed in one of their stores for the People of Walmart blog wearing only a football jersey, no pants. Oh, and flip flops.

First up is $5 gift cards for the purchase of some new games like Fable III, Rock Band 3 or The Sims 3. You might as well take the free money. If you were still wanting a Wii Fit Plus, it's going to be in stock for only $77. 

Some games comes with freebies this weekend: Force Unleashed II comes with a comic book, WWE Smackdown vs Raw comes with an action figure, and Shaun White Skateboarding comes with three bonus challenges.

Get me some yogurt covered pretzels while you're there.