For the past few Co-Op Classics columns, I've been trying to hit some of the key co-op games of the past.  Double Dragon and the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game are on most people's list of classics.  Today, we move on to what many consider to be the most influential game ever.  This game spawned hundreds of clones, and almost singlehandedly birthed an entire game genre, the first person shooter.  A technical marvel, a violent, intense atmosphere, awesome level design and downright scary foes, all wrapped up in a co-op package, make DOOM one of the greatest co-op games of all time.  

Whether it be a new arcade title or downloadable content for your favorite blockbuster, this weekend is hot with great games!

We just snuck this in before end of the month, but we have a fresh batch of Beyond Co-Op reviews for you. Battlefield 1943, Monkey island, and Red Faction: Guerrilla highlight a total of six reviews of gaming goodness.

Could this be one of the first really interesting use of Xbox Live's avatar system?  Activision has announced that Guitar Hero 5 will allows rockers to import their avatar into the game.  Co-Op just got a whole lot more personal as your mini-me will shred virtual metal next to the rest of your friends and their avatars.

It seems boycotts and petitions are all the rage these days.  The latest is occurring across the pond in the UK over the price of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.  No, they aren't angry over the edition with night vision goggles, that kind of investment is to be expected.  

Not content to spin your virtual records on an ordinary plastic fake turntable?  Well then perhaps you need to spring for the more bling-filled Renegade Edition of DJ Hero.  

When Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time was announced with a price point of 1200  on the Xbox Live Arcade - a lot of people groaned.  Sure everybody loves a good remake of a solid co-op brawler, but at $15 dollars it's a steep price to pay.  Thankfully, everyone will soon get a to pay a lot less for their TiT.  

Tonight we had our Gears of War 2 Co-Op night featuring the brand new maps in the Dark Corners set.  To celebrate, and to help promote tomorrow night's Game with Developers event we have three codes to give away for the All Fronts Collection.

We'll go ahead and apologize in advance to your wallet.  Critically acclaimed win-tacular co-op RTS meets RPG fantasy in outer space hybrid Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II is on sale this weekend on Steam and Direct2Drive.  For the low, low price of $24.99, you can own one of teh top PC releases of the year so far. 

There is no denying it - co-op is on the rise! Developers are catching on to the fact that gamers like being able to play together rather than alone or against one another. One in particular, Christopher Park, has taken it upon himself to explain some of the reasons behind Co-op. This gives us a very solid Case for Co-op!

I've been to the Ninth Ward of New Orleans three times -- the first time just five months after hurricane Katrina ravaged the city -- and can attest that the weather is pretty much always gross. Houston isn't much better, but if Left 4 Dead 2 had been set in southeast Texas, the ammo piles and assault weapons would be so close together survival would be a cakewalk. Thus: New Orleans, and better for it.

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare for your geek-o-meter to hit eleven.  The first vidoc for Halo 3: ODST is available for viewing, and it's narrated by none other than Nathan Fillion.