OK, for the most part, Sonic the Hedgehog games for this generation have sucked.  While Sonic Colors wasn't half bad, the other games, Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Unleashed, left a bad taste in our mouths.  Even the promising 2-D Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 couldn't turn the tide in his favor.  But now it looks like that will all wash away next week when Sonic Generations releases.  Sega and Sonic Team are relying on the classic flavor of the series, while still making the gameplay fans can easily relate to.

In celebration of Sonic the Hedgehog’s 20th Anniversary and his upcoming videogame, Sonic Generations, Sega has teamed up with action sports event producer ASA Entertainment for Sonic Generations of Skate. The event will feature three generations of professional skaters competing throughout the Sonic-themed day. On Saturday, October 22, Sonic and skateboarding fans will descend on Venice Beach, California (on the basketball courts near Muscle Beach), the iconic location where performance skateboarding planted its roots. Viewers at home will also be able to catch all the action on Fox Sports Network on Friday, November 25th.

Sega's attempts to bring back Sonic the Hedgehog in a whole new light have been bungled at best.  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 was all right, but a bit too short considering its $15 price tag and large amount of hype.  The original Sonic the Hedgehog rebirth was unquestionably bad, due to poor platforming segments and a rather questionable relationship with a human girl.  And Sonic Unleashed didn't do the brand any favors, thanks to an annoying new character and Sonic's poor Were-hog stages.  But now, this year, it looks like Sega's finally getting it right, simply by going back to basics.

Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises such as Counter-Strike, Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, Portal, and Team Fortress has officially launched its Steam Trading service with Portal 2 and Spiral Knights. Released in beta a few weeks ago with Team Fortress 2, Steam Trading allows gamers to exchange in-game items and game gifts. The developer discusses DOTA 2 in the video below.

Penny Arcade Expo 2011 (PAX for short) is rapidly approaching, and Sega is set to take center stage with its massive game line-up, including a playable version of Gearbox's upcoming Aliens: Colonial Marines.  Before we get crazy and waste every alien in sight, we thought we'd share how intense the experience gets with the game's debut trailer, featuring some crazy game footage.  Game over, man!

Anarchy Reigns, the upcoming online brawler from Platinum Games, has yet another character in its roster. Garuda seems inspired by the Transformers series, given his apparent ability to switch from flying vehicle to walking robot. The big, blue machine's signature weapon is the tornado drill, which you can see put to good use in Garuda's debut video.

Sega is bringing back one of its most popular arcade shooters. And this time the zombies are coming into your living room. One of the big games of 2011, The House of the Dead: Overkill - Extended Cut ships this Halloween for PlayStation 3. The game will be playable in stereoscopic 3D. Sega is serving up two exclusive new levels in this remake, including Naked Terror. Check out the exclusive video interview below.