Last summer we brought you our hands-on preview of the new Contra sequel.  Hard Corps: Uprising may be losing the 'Contra' prefix, but the same run and gun co-op action will be present.  Konami's new title will be available for download on the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network.  Players will take control of super soldiers Bahamut and Krystal.  But who cares about the characters?  Old favorites like the Spread Gun and Laser will return, and let's face it, getting that big winged "S" is what you really remember from the early games.

Do you know what's the best thing about Christmas?  Other than all the righteous indignation of insane people who think that the biggest holiday in the free world isn't being celebrated enough, or in the proper fashion? No, not presents.  Early presents.  Here are some fresh screens from the 4 player co-op loot-opia, Diablo 3.  The third installment of the Diablo franchise doesn't have a solid release date, all we know is that is should be released sometime next year.  Until then, enjoy!

This boss is pretty much impossible if you play solo.

Little Big Planet 2 has gone gold, meaning no more delays, and it'll be out on store shelves on January 18th, 2011.  

Our contests continue as we round out 2010 - and this one is another huge giveaway for one lucky winner!  Up for grabs is a co-op prize pack featuring goodies from Co-Optimus and SteelSeries!  Bet you can't guess what they are?  

The Battlefield Bad Company 2: Vietnam expansion pack was released world wide for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC this week, and although there is no Onslaught co-op mode (sad face) the downloadable add-on is a hot item for shooter fans.

Atari have announced a brand new Dungeons and Dragons game for Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and the PC called Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale.  The game is a four player online /  two player local co-op title that leans heavily on the action with plenty of RPG-lite elements.

Mike "pheriannath" Katsufrakis could use a dose of heavily armed nanobots right about now. He's under the weather this week, so keep him in your thoughts. Meantime, MicroBot is getting prepared to launch into virtual bloodstreams next Wenesday, December 29th. The twin-stick shooter will feature some unique two-player co-op aspects which Marc made mention of back in October.

Dead Rising 2: Case West releases next week.  The epilogue to Dead Rising 2,  the story takes place after the events in Fortune City and finds Dead Rising protagonist, Frank West, teaming up with DR2 hero Chuck Greene. Here are some new pics to get your zombie-killing juices flowing.  Looks like you will be able to play dress up, again.  The new trailer is purely from Frank West's perspective, and even has a nice Die Hard reference.  If you remember correctly, Die Hard is a Christmas movie, so it's seasonally appropriate.  Dead Rising 2: Case West will feature 2 player online co-op, and will be available for download on December 27 for 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live Arcade.

Portal 2 will be hitting retail store shelves this spring.  On April 21, 2011, you and a friend can get together for some couch or online co-op action with the two bots from Aperture Science.  EA will be publishing the retail version while the Steam edition is due out the same day.  In a press release EA states: 

Halo money?  NOOOO!

The world of Hunted: The Demon's Forge doesn't seem like a nice place to vacation.  Not only are the hotels infested with the undead, travelers getting kidnapped for slavery - but the heat from the Demon Forge is melting all the ice cream.