My first day on the job here in Boston, Massasschuetts began with the first and inagural PAX East convention on this side of the East Coast. I'll be your correspondent here during the weekend giving you some of the highlights of the upcoming games and interviews as well as previews.

When the Penny Arcade guys revealed the show was sold out, they weren't kidding. You still had to wait in line and completely pass around the entire room before you entered the Expo Hall where most of the action is at for all your games glory.

Check back soon as I'll be posting my experience from the show and other random updates throughout the weekend.

The upcoming mob sequel, Mafia 2 will have its debut on store shelves in the UK starting August 27th. This weekend in Boston, MA, at PAX East gamers will have a chance to play the game in the first public demo at the 2k Games booth at Booth #103 all three days, March 26th -28th, 2010.

 Through a compelling narrative, Mafia II transports gamers into the dark and unforgiving world of the Mafia. The fiction is embellished by a sophisticated, era-evoking atmosphere that meticulously replicates the clothing, cars, music and advertising of 1940’s and 1950’s Americana. Players will easily become immersed in the game’s cinematic Hollywood-style experience with strong, believable characters in a living, breathing metropolis. By fusing high-octane gunplay with white-knuckle driving and an engaging narrative, Mafia II looks to be the industry’s most compelling Mafia title to date. VideoGamer.com recently said “this will be one of the highlights of 2010”.

Born the son of a poor immigrant, Vito is a beaten-down Italian-American who is trying to escape the life of poverty that consumed his childhood. Vito, along with his lifelong friend, Joe, will descend into the world of organised crime. Looking to escape the life of hardship that his father led, Vito dreams about becoming a “made man,” and together with Joe, will work to prove themselves to the Mafia as they try to make their names on the streets. However, the two quickly realize that life as a wise guy isn’t quite as glamorous as it seems.

GamePlasma will do its best to give you a hands-on preview of the game once PAX East commences which as a reminder starts tomorrow. Mafia 2 will be releasing for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

With the Nintendo DSi XL not even in stores yet, Nintendo is already "upgrading" it's hardware unit. Nintendo Japan has revealed the next step for Nintendo gaming and that's 3D gaming with the Nintendo 3DS. There's not much detail that can be revealed about the system at the moment, though it was revealed that more details would be announced at this years E3.

The 3DS will be fully revealed at E3 and some basic information known is that it's the first time you'll be able to get into full 3D gameplay without the use of glasses.

The 3DS will have full backwards compatibility with DS and DSi games. Plus, Nintendo plans to release the handheld sometime this fiscal year which means anywhere between now and March 2011.

If you're still headset on getting the Nintendo DSi XL, then you're wait be just till this weekend.

Via GameInformer

Going to PAX East this weekend? How would you like a chance to check out the upcoming sequel Skate 3 which releases on May 11th in North America? Well, EA is giving out a challenge to all skaters out there with this competition that is sure to you racing for their booth.

   Teams Showdown

• o   Play 3 vs. 3 (w/your friends or other gamers)
• o   If your team wins 3 of 5 challenges, all members will get a limited edition SKATE 3/PAX East skateboard deck (see attached for deck art)

Beat the Meat Challenge

• o   Play a Hall of Meat challenge where you’re tasked to get a high score
• o   Beat a certain score and you will win a limited edition SKATE 3/PAX East skateboard deck
• o   Be the highest score of each day and you will win an X360 Elite with a SKATE franchise pack (Skate, Skate 2 and a copy of SKATE 3 when it becomes available) – 3 to give away in total

The new Nintendo download this week had the release of the much anticipated come back of Cave Story. The game that's beeen remade for the Wii from the classic days of it being on the PC.

WiiWare

Cave Story
Publisher: Nicalis, Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Language
Price: 1,200 Wii Points™
Description: Cave Story takes you into a rare world where a curious race of innocent, rabbit-like creatures called Mimiga run free. You wake up in a dark cave with no memory of who you are, where you came from or why you're in such a place. Uncovering Mimiga Village, you discover that the once-carefree Mimiga are in danger at the hands of a maniacal scientist. Their only hope rests squarely on the shoulders of a quiet, amnesiac boy who can't remember his own name. Take control, learn the origins of this world's power, stop the delusional villain and save the Mimiga.

Don't forget to check out the other new releases below...