We're still a little miffed at the fact that there's no sign of Microsoft's Zune HD being made available across the globe, but for those in the U.S., the device has today been handed its first dose of 3D gaming.
According to the Zune team, a firmware update (version 4.3) was introduced over the weekend to enable 3D gaming on the handheld PMP. Taking full advantage of the added functionality, the Zune Marketplace has been expanded with the inclusion of six new games - all of which are designed to make use of the Zune HD's multi-touch OLED screen and built-in accelerometer.
What's particularly interesting is that all six games are free, and supported solely by "short" start-up advertisements.
The six new titles are described by Microsoft as follows:
- Audiosurf Tilt: Audiosurf creates a rollercoaster ride from any song. Choose any song from your music collection and watch Audiosurf turn it into a unique roller coaster track for you to ride. The song you choose determines the shape, the speed, and the mood of each track. Tilt your Zune like a steering wheel to collect coloured blocks and avoid speedbumps. Unlock more than 30 designs, each with its own special theme and colour palette.
- Checkers: Enjoy the classic game of Checkers in a beautiful outdoor park setting. Play against the computer or against a friend.
- Lucky Lanes Bowling: Bowl in different game modes: exhibition, blackjack, golf. Play in five different bowling alleys with unique themes, all with the swipe of a finger. Choose from twenty different bowlers and twenty two different ball styles. You can play against the computer or play with up to four friends.
- Piano: Play your own tune, or play along with your favourite music on this electronic piano.
- Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition: Tear through the streets of London, Tokyo, and New York in the Ferrari of your choice using multi touch controls and the built in accelerometer.
- Vans Sk8: Pool Service: From the Admiral to the old abandoned rec center pool, Bucky Lasek and Omar Hassan know a good bowl to skate. Hit the pools and put these Vans skaters to the test with all the tricks in their bag and achieve hero status once you unlock their pro model skateboards.
Three of the six - Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Audiosurf Tilt and Vans Sk8: Pool Service - are said to take advantage of the NVIDIA Tegra-based innards to deliver "immersive, 3D gaming".
Sadly, we can't try them out (and, yes, we're bitter), but we'd love to hear how U.S. users are getting on with the Zune HD's 3D gaming functionality over in our HEXUS.community forums.
