All you have to do is download the Blur multiplayer demo on the PS3, get up to level 5 between 4th August (tomorrow) and 25th August and win a prize draw. Easy!

Activision and the PlayStation Network are holding a competition to give away a brand new BMW 125i coupé equipped with sporty BMW Performance accessories to one lucky gamer in Europe. What are sporty BMW Performance accessories? I have no idea but check out the BMW USA Performance pages for a taste.

Blur is a great racing game with a 4-player split-screen mode as well as online competition. Think of it as the bastard child of Wipeout and Mario Kart – big vehicles, loads of powerups and a devastating lightning attack to blast the race leader. You should have no problem hitting level 5 in a weekend – I managed it in a day on the Xbox 360 version.

Go get the demo!

Several hours later we were still playing it, which for a driving game is a very good sign. So why were we still playing it? Well it’s simple, fun and quick to play. You don’t wait around ages looking for a match, the power-up icons are easy to see and use and you’re straight back in the game when you crash or get wrecked (i.e. your car takes too much damage). It makes the racing interesting from start to finish.

Also its easier to play than WipEout HD, so Weefz enjoyed playing it. Given all the races are over either 2 or 3 laps in the beta, you can swap quickly between people, if there is more than one of you. You don’t have to suffer 10 minute races. Also given Blur is essentially Mario Kart crossed with Project Gotham, it’s spectacular to watch all the power-ups causing mayhem.

Blur is also the most accessible game that I have played from Bizarre Creations. They have taken all the game mechanics from their Project Gotham racing games, like Kudos points for driving “with style” and made them, well, just more fun. You now earn fans during races when you use power-ups, inflict damage on other cars and drive with style. But since the focus of this game is arcade action, you don’t lose fans for crashing into walls, or not taking the perfect racing line. As a result Blur is a more enjoyable game.

My only criticism of the beta is that it only contains 6 tracks. These are:

• Barcelona Gracia “Passeig de Gracia”
• Docks “Pacific Reach”
• Amboy “Badlands Traverse”
• Tokyo Shutoko “Wangan-sen”
• Amboy “Devil’s Dip”
• LA Downtown “Downtown Loop”

So after a few hours, I did crave a bit more track variety. Although I did learn these tracks inside out, which meant I made full use of all the short cuts. And also this is just a beta and we are promised more tracks in the finished game. After playing this beta I’m certainly looking forward to playing the full game in May 2010.

And finally, I have a code to give away for the Blur multiplayer beta to the best comment on this post. So make sure you enter a valid email address and then I’ll send you the code to enter on http://www.blurgame.com/beta.

Update 14th March 2010: The code has now gone to the lucky reader – Lcom :-) Enjoy the beta.

Blur is released on the 25th May 2010 on PS3, PC and Xbox 360.

You can still find the bundles in GAME stores as long as you don’t mind buying them with other games bundled in there. Today the bundles by themselves are going for around £150 on eBay, so if you see them in your local store there could be a nice little money-spinner there…

I got mine for my birthday over the weekend, thanks to a lovely and determined puppy-hunting boyfriend :) Review of Bobo the cute brown toy poodle coming tomorrow!

Update 8:40pm: Stuck my head in a few GAME stores on the way home and all the ones that were there last week are gone! They’re disappearing fast! Will keep my eyes open and let you know if I find any.

Update 16/12/05: Pink bundles spotted in stock! Keep an eye on this post for more store and contact details as we find them.

Mario Kart DS is the first title to use the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection enabling DS owners to play online with no extra costs (online compatable DS game required).

The service launches on Friday (25th Nov) in the UK with the launch of Mario Kart DS.

Upcoming DS titles which will use the service include:

• Animal Crossing: Wild World
• Metroid Prime Hunters
• Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land

In addition Nintendo has announced that there will be 7,500 wireless hotspots active around the country that you can use to play online.

You can find the location of your nearest hotspot by using www.thecloud.net or www.btopenzone.com

If you don’t fancy playing in McDonald’s or in your local pub, then you can play at home using Nintendo’s £30 Wi-Fi USB Connector device plugged into the back of your PC.

Simple.

Links:
Nintendo Wi-Fi (USA site)
DS Wi-Fi adapter
MarioKart DS trailer (QuickTime) and official site (Europe)