One of the most-anticipated games of 2012 is now coming to a lot more screens. Adhesive Games’ free-to-play PC game, HAWKEN, will be available in 720p running at 60 frames per second through Gaikai’s cloud gaming network. That means anyone who has a Smart TV or high-end tablet will be able to play the new Mech shooter from publisher Meteor Entertainment. Check out the video demo below showing the game in action.

The PlayStation Vita.  Though it may not be everyone’s ideal handheld choice (the 3DS is out there, along with cheaper handhelds and that iPhone thing), it’s still a sleek little thing that’s well worth playing.  Sony has made quite a push with the system so far, with a number of impressive games and a few more on the way, including Resistance: Burning Skies landing at retail (and digitally) later this month.  But when it comes to games you MUST have, what are the best choices for the system?

While only half of the respondents to ABI Research’s Technology Barometer survey claimed to rent video games, which are usually game console centric, as compared to DVD and Blu-ray movies, these respondents averaged a considerably higher monthly spend rate at $23, compared to $16 for DVD and Blu-ray. This average spend also eclipsed monthly premium Video on Demand rentals from pay-TV service providers ($20) – only monthly expenditures at movie theaters and restaurants (“eating out”) were higher amongst respondents who participated in those activities, at $27 and $67, respectively.

It’s inevitable with all “cute” franchises.  Eventually, someone’s going to get the idea of making a “kart” game, where familiar characters can get behind the wheel of a race car and (playfully) compete against others through a similar universe, one that’s been in previous games.  Mario’s done it countless of times, Crash Bandicoot did it a couple, and several other clones have emerged over the years as well.  Joining the fray is LittleBigPlanet Karting, collaboration between Media Molecule and the game’s main developer, United Front Games – the same team behind ModNation Racers.  But don’t go dismissing this as just another knock-off.  This one has a lot of kick behind it.

Nissan North America is partnering once again with Sony Computer Entertainment America and Polyphony Digital for a second season of the popular non-scripted TV series GT Academy in the U.S. The series will highlight the latest blending of virtual racing and reality. GT Academy challenges gamers and racing fans to compete in a series of online time trials in pre-selected Nissan vehicles for a shot at becoming a real racing driver. Last year’s competition drew over 53,000 competitors nationwide, with 30-year old Californian Bryan Heitkotter emerging as the winner. Heitkotter has gone on to compete in races for Nissan in the United States, Middle East and Europe. Heikotter talks about the experience in the exclusive video interview below.

BELLEVUE, Washington – With the Guild Wars 2 beta weekend in full swing, fans can finally see what ArenaNet has been working on for the past five years. With NCsoft as a partner on the new MMO, the studio grew out of its original digs and moved into a specially-designed new studio this past year in Bellevue. ArenaNet marketing guru Chris Lye takes us on an exclusive guided tour of the cool new studio in the video below.

After making a huge splash on consoles last year (and we mean in bright red bloody colors), Mortal Kombat is just about ready to make its portable debut on the PlayStation Vita.  The game includes all the content from the original console game, along with online play, a number of exclusive Klassik Skins and a Challenge Tower that includes various touch screen games, including Test Your Slice (a Fruit Ninja variation) and Test Your Balance.

The fighting game market is still thriving quite well these days, with thousands of players stepping up for tournaments and proving their worth in games like Mortal Kombat, King of Fighters XIII and Street Fighter x Tekken, among others.  But by no means should you ignore the “little guys”, the teams that are still making less-than-popular fighting games that are just as good as the “big boys”.  Case in point – Skullgirls, the latest from Revenge Labs and their respective publishers at Autumn Games and Konami, has finally arrived on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network after what seems like years in development.  And now that it’s here, you shouldn’t dare miss it.

Yesterday, within 64 seconds of the first redemption going through, all 100 of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 graphics cards available in the PLEX for Graphics Cards program were sold out. The PLEX for Graphics Cards program allowed players to exchange 20 PLEX units for an EVGA GeForce GTX 560 video card, and have it shipped to their home. As first described at EVE Fanfest 2012, the joint program with Nvidia and CCP shattered all expectations in terms of player demand.

Funtactix and Lionsgate have launched the latest chapter in The Hunger Games Adventures. Fans can now journey to the Capitol, taking players outside of District 12 as the universe of the game expands in the first step toward unveiling the rest of Panem. Effie serves as a guide through this first major expansion to the casual social game. Actor Josh Hutcherson, who plays Peeta Mellark in the blockbuster movie opposite Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Evergeen.

Riot Games was on the show floor of PAX East 2012 in Boston over Eastern weekend displaying two new Champions for League of Legends. The centaur warrior Hecarim the Shadow of War and archer Varus were introduced to legions of gamers in the Boston convention center.