A whole bunch of picture packs and themes have hit the Marketplace today for NHL 07, Just Cause and The Godfather for those that like to put another face on their 360. The NHL 07 picture packs include Atlantic Division Picture Pack, Northeast Division Picture Pack, Southeast Division Picture Pack, Central Division Picture Pack, Northwest Division Picture Pack and Pacific Division Picture Pack with each costing 100 Microsoft Points. The themes for NHL 07 include all of the professional hockey teams in each of those leagues and will set you back at the usual 150 Microsoft Points each.

Just Cause has one new picture pack which requires 100 Microsoft Points as well as two new themes that are once again 150 Microsoft Points each. The Godfather has five new themes available as the Mobster Theme, Streets of NY Theme, The Don Theme, Hand Guns Theme and the Weapons Theme at 150 Microsoft Points each.

The picture packs for the Godfather on the other hand vary in price probably because the amount of pictures included in each pack are The Family Picture Pack at 160 Microsoft Points, Godfather Weapons Picture Pack at 220 Microsoft Points, and The Don Picture Pack at 180 Microsoft Points. So if you want to pick up a new theme or gamer picture, be sure to check out the new downloads on the Marketplace.

Doing your holiday shopping list? Well, we got one more list for you to see before you max that credit card. EA just released their Holiday lineup during the X06 at Barcelona, and here are the games for you to pick & choose to shop for the one you love: your Xbox 360.

FIFA 07--it's got independent ball physics, unique player movements, better graphics, and a great online feature. If you want to be in the sidelines rather than upfront, there's a Manager Mode where you can develop your players and strategies before you step into the field. Game will be out by October.

NBA LIVE 07--the freaky skills movement is on, as the Total Freestyle Control will make defenders lives a hard one. Defense has been beefed up in this game just to make it more interesting. ESPN is an exclusive partner and will be giving up-to-date news online. It's out now.

Need for Speed Carbon--customizing your car shouldn't take more than a few seconds in this game--it has the new Autosculpt technology to ensure you get what you want. Tweak to your heart's content. Out by November.

NHL 07--a game that has photo-realistic graphics won't go wrong, add the new Skill Stick system and you're ready to go smash the other opponent's face in. Remember no sticks boys. Out now.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07--it's got 21 new courses to offer and 50 golfers to choose from (no, it's not Tiger 1, Tiger 2...). UCAP technology just makes Tiger more realistic than ever but it doesn't make losing to him any less painful. Out by November.

Half-Life 2--the entire single player and first two episodes of the continued story in one game. Time to shoot me some critters. Out by 1st Quarter of 2007.

Superman Returns: The Videogame--fly like your favorite superhero and beat some major baddies along the way in this movie-tie-in. Up, up, and away! Out by November.

Looks like you got a lot  of sports and some cool games to choose from this holiday season. Happy shopping!

You all might have noticed that Christmas is just around the corner, and game developers and publishers probably noticed this too. And here's another hint that the holidays are so near: great game releases. And there's enough to get every gamer excited.

If you ask us though, gamers who fancy the sports games will be the ones who'll find it very hard to sleep at night especially with this list of titles that will be released in the coming days, weeks, months... Just be sure you won't be cranky in the morning for lack of sleep from anticipating - or playing - the games.

So here's the list of Xbox 360 games' European release dates:

September:
22:  Just Cause
30:  Mad Tracks
TBC:  LMA Manager 2007
TBC:  World Snooker Championship 2007

October:
6:  Import Tuner Challenge
6:  Open Season
20:  Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
27:  NBA 2K7

November:
3:  Need For Speed: Carbon
10:  WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007
17:  Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas
TBC:  Cars
TBC:  Eragon
TBC:  Football Manager 2007
TBC:  Pro Evolution Soccer 6
TBC:  The Sopranos

Click "Full Article" for the complete list.

Being in the cover of a product usually comes with freebies. And for Washington Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin, it is not going to be a different story. Ovechkin is the current cover boy of Electronic Arts NHL 07 for Xbox 360.

Because of that, the ice hockey star recently received several X360 consoles. The 21-year old player has always been a fan of video games. His favorites, aside from sports games, include Counter Strike, Doom and RPGs.

Given the success he's had so far, it is good to know he hasn't forgotten about his roots back in Russia: he shipped the consoles to his family and friends back there.

Product Line Producer Dean Richards was sure to make the most out of the event, as he forwards their game further: "What the 360 console allows us to do is really push those limits. I've played hockey all my life. I don't think video games have done justice to what it really feels to be down on the ice. We feel that this changes the way you play hockey games and actually the way you play sports games."

Accordingly, the changes Richards was referring to is the revamp done on the controls. Gamers now can essentially control players using the two analog sticks (left stick directs the player; the right controls the hockey stick).

Some of you guys were so excited for NHL 07. Now that the release has arrived, you can probably already feel the ice creeping up your skates. The demo's been released, and you've probably played it 'til the cows came home. Maybe you've even seen the trailers which were up at the Marketplace just a while ago. So hey! No one blames you for being too eager for EA's new game.

And what's one more trailer to add to the whole mix? Even though the game's been released, more hype and anticipation is never too late! This trailer shows us the new players and arenas available in the game. Lots of hockey action, too!

Let the season begin!

Download: [NHL 07: New Faces, New Places trailer]
Buy: [NHL 07]

Hot off the shelves this week is NHL 07, much to the joy of hockey players and fans alike. We trust you've been having fun with the game so far, eh? Well, to further add to the fun you've been having, news have reached our ears that Xbox Live Marketplace now offers two downloadable themes for NHL 07.

Available for download are the Carolina Hurricanes theme and the Edmonton Oilers Theme, for 150 points each. These are available in all Xbox Live regions EXCEPT Mexico, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. So sorry for our fellas in those areas, but for those of you who don't live in any of the areas mentioned, download now for more puck playing fun!

Courtesy of publishers Electronics Arts, we have 5 brand new trailers up for you on the Xbox Live Marketplace today all for one game: NHL 07 for the Xbox 360. These trailers are free (so you don't have to spend any of those precious MS points) and are available in Xbox Live regions except Mexico, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. Here's the rundown on the 5 new trailers that you can see from today:

• NHL 07 - EA SPORTS Skill Stick Trailer (720p)
• NHL 07 - Next Generation Gameplay Trailer
• NHL 07 - Ovechkin-Hanlon Integration Trailer
• NHL 07 - Next Generation Dynasty Mode Trailer
• NHL 07 - Organic Goalie AI & MOCAP Trailer

If you're thinking about getting the game, especially if these trailers have convinced you, don't forget to check out the NHL 07 achievements list and playable demo which is also available on the marketplace!

Three games are out for the Xbox 360 this week on September 11. For some of you this draws out a "meh, whatever" reaction. But for some of us, this is a tough news with a tough choice: NHL 2K or NHL 2007? Here are the three releases:

Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

You either love it or hate it, are excited by it or have grown bored by it. The LucasArts Star Wars game franchise has always done well, and if lots of people are buying it, then it must be worth buying, right? Not all of you agree. For example, one big thing that might make you immune to the bandwagon effect is that the whole "Lego + Star Wars" formula might seem so "been there, done that." We'll see what the reviews are, and if you're sure you want to try this game out, let us know what you think.

NHL 2007 and NHL 2K7

2007 and 2K7 both mean the same number, but we're waiting for your feedback on which game's the bigger one. You know how game developers only reveal the best screenshots, so previously-shown screens might not be the best way to judge, so I guess we really have to rent both and try them out. Or you could go with recent track records: NHL 2007 is from EA, a long-time industry leader; but some fans think they're losing or have already lost their touch (NHL 2k7 is from 2K Sports).

David Littman, producer of NHL 07 for the Xbox 360, shares the development team's focus for the game via the latest NHL 07 video.

According to Littman, what they primarily wanted to achieve with the game is the delivery of innovation and authenticity, particularly with player types, equipment, and Dynasty CBA. "Everything we did in gameplay needed to be authentic."

Some of this authenticity is exhibited in player types, as well as with the goalie. Here, the goalie can make a save and move his arm and leg anywhere in that space, so now he has to literally put his hand on the puck. The puck is yet another cause of excitement as it is described to be a loose puck. Bouncing off realistically as it hits a skate, a stick, or a post, the action just produces incredible excitement as anything can happen when that puck is around the goal. "The puck is free, anything can happen at anytime, and that's about as authentic as you can get in a hockey video game."

While there are still about several more days to go before NHL 07 scores a goal on store shelves, check out Official Movie #9 of this much-anticipated next-gen sports game.

Download: [NHL 07 Official Movie 9]

Well this is good news for those of you out there that have been waiting for the NHL 07 demo as it has finally hit the Marketplace. Everyone wondered when the demo would actually hit as Electronic Arts announced that the demo was already available on August 29th even though it still had to go through the certification process. The hockey demo weighs in at 541.39MB and apparently only lets gamers try out one shootout session.

In line with this, Achieve360Points posted the achievement list for the game. It has 26 achievements that add up to the usual retail amount of 1000 gamer points. The achievements range from scoring a goal to getting a shutout in Superstar Mode. So if you're a Hockey fan and have been waiting for the game go ahead and check out the full achievement list by clicking on the "Full Article" link below to see what is in store come September 12th.

The achievement list awaits after the jump!