The Xbox LIVE Avatar store needs Nolan North masks. Period. But while we wait for the anointed one to receive his digital due, we wouldn’t mind dressing up our digital likeness as a Sith Apprentice. Or a Storm Trooper. Or as a vapid Imperial pilot broad.

Perhaps in celebration of the latest Star Wars: The Force Unleashed DLC release, the Hoth mission pack, LucasArts has bombarded the Avatar Marketplace with all sorts of game-related clothing — all of which you can catch a digital peek at via the LucasArts Workshop. We know you want to say, “Oh, Avatar clothing is soooo stupid!” But we also know you want it. Admit it. It’s OK to want something.

Like we would forget about XBox Live Avatars? [LucasArts Workshop]

Via Destructoid

Want to blow up a fighter jet in Just Cause 2? You could do it using a plane but that’s something a stupid normal person would do. Just Cause 2 offers you multiple ways of destroying objects including a way only an awesome insane person would do it.

As the above exclusive Just Cause 2 trailer demonstrates, doing things the crazy is a lot more fun. So long as you’ve strong legs that’s.

Via Destructoid

Well done Lionhead. Once again, we’ve Fable III screens to show you, but as always, there are barely any. Compared to last time, we now have double the screenshots for you. Unfortunately, double of one is … two. Yes. We have two screenshots for you. Good grief.

Deadly Premonition. Either you “get it,” like us, or you’re a normal human being and will never be able to understand what makes it so amusing. Hopefully you’ve already seen these two posts on the game — each contains a marvelous video. If not, brace yourself for greatness.

Much to our surprise (and delight), Deadly Premonition is out now for Xbox 360 at the highly-affordable going rate of $19.99. A press release confirming as much was sent out earlier today, and — get this — the game’s got fishing and racing mini-games!

When reached for comment, Dale North responded with “hnnnng Deadly Promotion.” We were unable to determine if that was a positive or a negative remark. Perhaps it’s both? You can look forward to a review from Jim in the very near future.

Via Destructoid

Black Rock Studio’s awesome (yet overlooked) offroad trick-racer PURE is now available on Xbox 360 Games on Demand. The digital download will run you $19.99, and is a 4 gig download.

If you haven’t had a opportunity to try it out, PURE is a surprisingly excellent arcade-style racer. My first thoughts after playing it were that it felt like SSX on wheels and a whole lot of dirt. If that description doesn’t sell you on it, then I’ve got nothing.

Black Rock’s next title is Split/Second, an over-the-top, reality-show-based arcade racer that promises car wrecks, explosions, and even more explosions. Sold. PURE just might be able to keep you occupied until that game ships later this year.

Via Destructoid

THIS EXPLAINS EVERYTHING!!!

Via Destructoid

The reassuring news keeps on coming regarding Sonic the Hedgehog 4. First of all, we get a bit of gameplay footage that looks terrific, then we get word that Dimps is working on the game, and now it has been revealed that Sonic 3’s senior level designer is also involved.

“So, is it just Dimps? Just Sonic Team? The answer is a bit of both,” explains Sega. “Yes, Dimps is working on the game. But there’s actually more to it than just that: at the same time, we also have members of Sonic Team, including the original senior level designer from Sonic 3 & Knuckles on the SEGA Genesis working alongside them. It is most definitely a partnership, and the result of this teamwork is something many of us are excited for.”

It really is looking like Sonic 4 will be the game that old school fans have been longing to see, and I count myself as one of those fans who waits with nervous excitement. Please please please don’t mess this up, Sega!

Sonic 4: Sega & Dimps Developing [Kombo via GoNintendo]

Via Destructoid

Microsoft pissed off the already easy-to-piss-off Computer gamer crowd when it revealed that Alan Wake wasn’t coming to personal anymore. The publisher’s reasoning — that the game is suited to a large TV and not an “intimate” PC environment — was rubbish, and we know it. Developer Remedy has issued its own explanation, one that insults our intelligence slightly less.

Before I go any further with next week’s Rock Band DLC announcements, a word from Brad Nicholson: “‘The Dope Show’ is the dumbest Manson song you could put in a game.”

HIM Pack 01 ($5.49/440 MS Points for pack, $1.99/160 MS Points/200 Wii Points per song)

• “Heartkiller” +
• “Ode to Solitude”
• “Wings of a Butterfly”

Single tracks ($1.99/140 MS Points/200 Wii Points per song)

• KSM – “Distracted” +
• Marilyn Manson – “The Dope Show”
• One Night Only – “Just For Tonight” +
• The Police – “Walking on the Moon” +

_{+ denotes the song is also available for download in LEGO Rock Band.}

Let us know if you agree with Brad in the comments, or if you think “The Dope Show” is the smartest Manson song you could put in a game. I mean, it won a freakin’ Grammy. That means it has to be good! As Crawdads Revenge points out in the comments, “The Dope Show” was nominated for (but did not win) a Grammy. Maybe Brad was right after all.

Via Destructoid

Ubisoft has revealed the Wii version of Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands this day and it looks… wow. That looks really good!

The publisher points out that this “built entirely from the ground up” version of the game “utilizes advanced technologies to deliver a smooth, clear, and impressive graphic experience on the Wii.” By “advanced technologies” it most certainly means “magic,” right?

Shacknews has confirmed that Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands will hit retail for all SKUs, including PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Computer, PSP, and Nintendo DS.

Via Destructoid