The sport of fishing is a rather leisurely and peaceful pastime usually stress-free and altogether a wholesome experience.‚  However, the excitement of reeling in a powerful fish is what drove developers to create in the plethora of fishing titles that are available today.

One title that aims to separate itself from the pitfalls of the dull monotony and waiting game that fishing so often entails is “Shimano Extreme Fishing.” ‚ ‚ Developed exclusively for the Wii and due out sometime in 2009, Extreme Fishing entertains the wilder face of fishing; one that I never knew existed!

Extreme Fishing eschews the normative thought of rod and reel as the only means to catching fish, instead offering both spear-gun and bow as means of capturing the elusive nautical fishies.

This latest batch of screens from publisher Mastiff (the guys behind Major League Eating) show off the bow and underwater tactical use of the spear-gun in the *stunning* Wii visual fashion.‚  Look up and to your right for the threesome of images.

Game developers Mastiff and Renegade Kid, announced Monday that the gfirst-person shooter game “Moon” has been pushed back to January 13, 2009.

The Nintendo DS title was originally scheduled for November 18.

Moon is a sci-fi, action-adventure title that takes place on — obviously — the lunar surface in the year 2058. Researchers find a sealed alien hatch during construction of a new lunar base, and adventure ensues.

For more information please visit www.moon-game.com.

Mastiff, otherwise known for making the competitive eating game, announced on a more serious note that their upcoming Nintendo DS game, Moon, will be released November 18. They’ve teamed with GameStop to offer anyone who preorders the game a free telescoping Moon stylus and game case, too.

Moon is described as a sci-fi, action-adventure, first person shooter.

Game summary:

Developed by Renegade Kid,‚ Moon‚ is an intense sci-fi, action-adventure title for Nintendo DS.‚ Moon‚ places gamers on the cold lunar surface in the year 2058. Researchers of the newly established Lunar Base Alpha are shocked when they discover a sealed, alien hatch during construction of a new lunar base, but it’s a shock that soon pales in comparison to what they find beyond the hatch.

Game features:

• Renegade Kid’s patented formula of sick and twisted FPS adventure features a cinematic storyline and white-knuckle shooting action.
• Built on the Renegade Engine 2.0, Moon delivers rich environments and robust FPS gameplay that screams at a blistering 60 FPS.
• Collect alien artifacts and challenge insane difficulty levels to unlock premium hidden content – only the hardcore need apply.
• Annihilate alien hostiles as you rip up the lunar landscape in your turret-equipped buggy, or pilot the Remote Access Droid to delve into the Moon’s darkest corners.
• Deliver Major Kane’s style of intergalactic diplomacy as you wield powerful alien technology like the Lepton Spread – a particle shotgun that can tear your enemies a new black hole.

For more information please visit‚ www.moon-game.com.

Video game publisher Mastiff announced Friday that they are working on brinigng the arcade-style, multi-player hunting series, Deer Drive, to the Wii this fall.

“Deer Drive meshes hunting simulation with arcade style pick-up-and-play action and pacing for an exciting gaming experience. Deer Drive is the first deer hunting game that features two player simultaneous play,” Mastiff said in a statement. “Additionally, Deer Drive features a multitude of gameplay modes, including four player party mode, true-to-life sound effects, passive and aggressive prey, and a slew of hunting weapons.”

“Deer Drive is an entirely different animal when it comes to hunting games,” said Bill Swartz, “head woof” at Mastiff. “Most hunting games are slow moving simulations with frustrating controls. Deer Drive is all about shooting, all about pick-up-and-play fun and being a more accurate marksman and better hunter than your friends.”

Game features:

• Arcade-style multiplayer action hunting on Wii for the first time.
• Pick-Up-And-Play: Lock, load, and take down some bucks. Just be ready to defend yourself from aggressive mountain lions, bears, charging moose and other dangerous situations.
• Multiplayer: Play head-to-head with a friend or with up to four players in Party Mode.
• Optimized to work with Wii Remote(tm) or the Wii Zapper accessory.
• Changing weather creates dynamic hunting conditions over varied terrain.
• Challenging for casual and hard-core players alike.
• Ethical hunting integral to the game

There may soon come an answer to the question as to whether or not video games contribute to childhood obesity.

Following Joey Chestnut’s stunning victory over Kobayashi at the 2007 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, fellow canine-named video game publisher Mastiff announced that they have acquired the Major League Eating license for gaming platforms.

Major League Eating is the organization that oversees a plethora of competitive eating events. People scarf down everything from asparagus to hamburgers.

“Major League Eaters aren’t just elite athletes,” said Bill Swartz, who claims the title of “Head Woof” at Mastiff. “They are the people who built America. Or at least the competitive eating part of America. And I am deeply honored that the International Federation of Competitive Eating and Major League Eating choose Mastiff as their exclusive video game partner.”

Mastiff’s other titles include: Gurumin for PSP, Pump It Up: Exceed, and La Pucelle: Tactics, Gungrave: Overdose, Technic Beat and Top Gun: Combat Zones.

“We knew this sport would lend itself very well to an interactive format,” said George Shea of Major League Eating. “Mastiff has the stomach and the sense of humor to pull this off.”

Major League Eating: The Game features the world’s greatest gurgitory athletes competing across twelve different food types. Built much like a fighting game, MLE: The Game requires players to show brilliant on-screen eating; a mastery of offensive and defensive weapons including burps, belches, and mustard gas; and of course the technical mastery necessary to avoid emptying one’s stomach in a vividly colored reversal of fortune.

Game of the year, anyone?