Today, we begin a two part series about the future of band-centric video games. In this first part, we will examine the band games that have already been released (or announced), in order to determine what characteristics they share.

We don't usually announce DLC for music games, but in this case, we felt it newsworthy.  Legendary band The Who is playing the halftime show at the Super Bowl (which is touted as taking place in South Florida, not Miami, for some reason).  Perhaps Pete will be smashing his guitar on stage as millions make a run for more chips, dip, and tasty beverages.

The performance, which is under wraps at the moment, will be made available at the Rock Band Store immediately after the game.  Typically, Rock Band DLC hits on Tuesday, but if you can't wait until then, feel free to put down the chili dog and grab your fake plastic instrument of choice right around the time all the confetti starts flying in the stadium.

As if we hadn't been waiting long enough already!  White Knight Chronicles International Edition should be finally available on your friendly neighborhood game store shelves, and is shipping online, as well.  Typically, new releases are on Tuesdays, but in this case, it seems the game was delayed a bit longer.  I know my copy is on its way for delivery tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to summoning giant suits of armor this weekend.  Haven't picked it up yet?  Order from Amazon and help support Co-Optimus!

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The PSP isn't one of the most heavily featured gaming systems here at Co-Optimus.  There just haven't been that many co-op games for Sony's powerful portable handheld.  But fans of on-the-go team-based shooters may just have a real treat in store with SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3. 

The demo will be available for download on February 11, just over a week away.  A co-op mission from the campaign will be included, and allows for 4 players to work together via ad-hoc.  The Playstation Blog has more details, including a couple new screenshots, plus information on pre-order bonuses (if you're into that sort of thing, which we pretty much aren't).

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Behemoth has a great record when it comes to co-op games: Alien Hominid and Castle Crashers are each excellent, combining old school gameplay with great design and humor.  We've been watching developments about their next title, known previously as 'Game #3'.  The new name is BattleBlock Theater, and lots of new information about it has hit Behemoth's blog.

Coming to Xbox Live Arcade "sometime in 2010", BattleBlock Theater is the story of a shipwrecked protagonist, who is betrayed and then imprisoned with hundreds of others, forced to perform in deadly dramatic productions.  Sound weird?  Indeed, but it also sounds like lots of fun.  The new BattleBlock Theater FAQ promises co-op, and the new official trailer is certainly worth a look.  Anyone else excited for this one?

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Co-Op Classics turns the calendar back to 1991 this week, when the co-op brawler was king. Robocop 2 was a fine example, featuring two-player co-op, over the shoulder shooting, and racing-like levels. Also check out the first Co-Op Classics video!

Really, one of the toughest things when writing articles like this is to avoid lame jokes.
Rather than subject you annoying, half-funnies like booty, matey, and Davey Jones
references, we'll just talk about the game.  4 player brawler Pirates Plund-Arrrr is being
released for the Wii.  Screenshots look similar to Castle Crashers, and, according to the
release below, gameplay sounds similar, too.  Cute characters, beat-em-up action, and
"razor-sharp meat cleavers" sound like a good mix.  Expect Pirates Plund-Arrrr to hit
'round spring.  Hey!  I made it through the news post without a joke.  I'd say my
respectability as a game journalist just went up.  Or did it, sharp eyed reader?

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Cliff Bleszinski, of Epic Games, is promising an important announcement coming soon.  Yes, yes, we get it: announcing announcements is irritating.  But considering CliffyB's involvement in the co-op megahit Gears of War franchise, it's certainly worth mentioning.  How incredible is this news going to be?  According to Mr. Bleszinski:

"MEGATON FACE MELTING NEWS"

I was unaware that megatons had faces, nor that said faces could achieve a liquid state.  That's rather impressive, to say the least.  CVG predicts that this news will come at next month's Microsoft X10 event.  More than likely, it will be the announcement of Gears of War 3, but will it release in 2010?  Who knows, but in the meantime, let's all hit the gym, eat lots of beef, and practice swearing at each other.  You know, just in case.

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This image returns from the dead once again...

What could possibly be better than portable zombie slaying co-op?  How about portable zombie salying co-op for the low, low price of $0.00?  Call of Duty: World At War: Zombies (now with twice the colons), one of the most popular apps for the iPhone, now has a free version.  Imaginatively dubbed "Zombies Lite", the free game allows zombie hunters to try before they buy.  However, the fun isn't unlimited: three rounds of single player and two of co-op multiplayer are offered.  By then, of course, I'm sure you'll be willing to pop the $10 for the full version.  I can't wait to put this on my brother's iPhone when he isn't looking; he's enamored of the Swine Flu Scanner and Fart apps right now...

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Today, we'll look at a great new board game that is simple enough to be accessible for non-gamers, yet deep enough to satisfy a diehard gamer's strategic brain: Pandemic. The best part about Pandemic? It's cooperative! Plus, we've got a guest report from Co-Optimus legend "justabaldguy"!