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We've all felt the pain of pressing the jump button a second time just barely too late in a game of Worms 2, sending a brave worm soldier free falling off the side of a mountain or, worse yet, into the watery depths below. Recognizing that the game might have some issues – and rather than simply calling us "newbs" like most people do – Worms 2 developers Team17 have just released a patch aimed at ailing all that is wrong with the adorable multiplayer strategy games.

Listing everything from "Back flip input slowed down to stop incorrect jumps harming the player" to "Fixed bug which made crates in Forts matches only land on the right hand side," as well as a slurry of other fixes, Team17 seems to have given the nearly five-month-old release a full overhaul. An overhaul that'll perhaps feel all the more worthwhile when the developers make good on next year's DLC for the game. In the meantime, we'll be over here waiting for you with a Buffalo of Lies.

[Via CVG]

There isn't a whole lot to say about my six or so hours spent with Worms, and as such, this won't be one of the longer iPhone game reviews you read anytime soon. In fact, if you've played past Worms games, then you're going to find some pretty glaring issues to complain about here and not much of anything new.

The game looks great, has tons of content (near equivalent to the recent XBLA release, Worms 2: Armageddon), and doesn't cost a whole lot of money ($5). There are, however, a handful of niggling complaints that could be made about the lack of precision control necessary for a time-based game, as well as long load times strewn throughout the game's menus. Unfortunately, these little issues add up to a much bigger one -- they make me not want to play the game.

Team 17's Martyn Brown believes the barriers to self-publishing on Xbox Live Arcade are becoming more difficult to break through. The studio director tells GI.biz that it's "massively" harder to get games on XBLA now, saying that there just aren't "many gaps in the portfolio" and the top sellers are mostly established IPs -- like his company's Worms games.

Brown believes that new developers without established connections need to make titles that cater to the platforms. He expresses that Sony "tends to like the new stuff" that isn't necessarily mass market, while with Microsoft "you're really going for the commercial mass market audience." The takeaway from this is that as digital distribution goes from being the new frontier to becoming the norm, it's going to have similar issues as current brick-and-mortar retailers.

If your appetite for caecilian destruction hasn't been satiated by the recently released Worms 2: Armageddon, you'll be pleased to know that you can now get your fill on the go with the even more recently released Worms app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

For $4.99, it sounds like a nice little package. There's four-team multiplayer, unlockable items and over 50 challenges for the lone wolves among us to explore. Best of all, you can still customize your team names -- just keep it classy, folks. Your Weather app is watching.

Developer Team 17 loves its Facebook page. This morning the company announced a "retro modern remake" of Alien Breed, one of its games from way back in 1991. Alien Breed Evolution is an Unreal Engine 3-powered shooter, which can be played solo or co-op later this year. A representative for Team 17 tells us that a video of the game should be released in two to three weeks.

Team 17 also teased that iPhone Worms "looms... not long now." There is currently a tentative date, but the developer is awaiting the go from Apple. Like a good Worm, though, Team 17 has everything locked, loaded and ready to fire when ready.

Another twofer this week, as XBLA adds a fighting game and a turn-based strategy game to its ever-growing ranks. From SNK's huge library of fighting games, we have King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match. The XBLA version includes online play and will set you back 800 ($10). Meanwhile, Team17 has dropped the sequel to the XBLA version of Worms, which is titled, appropriately enough, Worms 2: Armageddon. The game brings lots of new features to the table -- as well as some old favorites -- and also costs 800 ($10).

Watch the latest episode of XBLA in Brief and see which one is screaming for your hard-earned cash.

Download the trial version of King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match
Download the trial version of Worms 2: Armageddon

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Just shy of its official release on Xbox Live Arcade, Team17 has dropped plenty of details and a big ol' pile of screens for Worms 2 Armageddon, out tomorrow for 800 ($10). First up, there are lots of new weapons in Worms 2, some of them are brand new, while others are returning favorites from other installments in the series. Fans will be happy to know that the Concrete Donkey is back (as is his nemesis, the Buffalo of Lies[?]). The game also includes bunker buster bombs which, true to their name, are used to take out cowardly worms that have burrowed deep, deep out of harm's way.

As we've mentioned before, the game also brings persistent fire, which is utilized in weapons like napalm and the petrol bomb. The game includes a handful of new modes too, such as Fort Mode -- which sets each team's worms in opposing bases instead of placing them randomly -- and Rope Race Mode. Another addition that might not sound too sexy but, trust us, it's important: Host migration for network play. The game also introduces vertical levels, which are tall and narrow, as opposed to the traditional wide levels.

All in all, it sounds like Worms 2 Armageddon is packing plenty of punch. Check out new screens in the gallery below and two trailers after the break.

Looks like our glowing preview of ZEN Pinball paid off for Zen Studios. The first (and only) pinball game on the PlayStation Network met an incredible debut, taking the top spot in May. Perhaps the free demo, which showcased the game's solid physics engine and graphics, convinced gamers to go for the full version?

According to GamerBytes, Zen Studios' Pinball FX did "similarly well" on Xbox Live Arcade. That game went on to sell 250,000 units over time -- perhaps ZEN Pinball can meet an equally favorable fate? In addition to ZEN, the rest of the top 5 included many PSN mainstays:

1. ZEN Pinball
2. Worms
3. Mortal Kombat II
4. Wheel of Fortune
5. Flower

For the rest of the top 10, and more analysis of PSN sales, check out GamerBytes.

A video posted over at Pocket Gamer seems to show off a very early build of Worms for the iPhone. The video is pretty brief, though it still manages to impress us through some slick visuals and competent controls. Whether or not this is real, know that we want it to be real.

We've put in word to both Team17 and EA's mobile division (which was rumored to have acquired the license). EA got back to us to say that the company "does not comment on rumor and speculation." While we wait on Team17, you can head past the break and watch poor Harlequin catch a rocket to the face.

Update: We've spoken with a source at Team17 that has confirmed the video past the break is authentic and something the team produced in-house, choosing to sneakily unload it onto the 'nets, rather than send Joystiq a press release. Our contact said that Team17 has actually moved to self-publish games in the digital distribution space, so it no longer needs to rely on partners get its products out there. So, in short: Worms on the iPhone is real, Team17 is doing everything, and there isn't any planned release date as of right now.

One might usually think of bunnies or egg hunts when it comes to Easter; however, this year you'll be thinking of Worms. We're talking about the turn-based combat title from Team17 Software. Worms will be heading over to European PSN stores on Easter Sunday (April 12).

The game is already out in the US and can be bought for $12.99. The European version will be similarly priced at £7.99/€9.99.

Mobile Entertainment reports it has documentation that "suggests" EA will become the exclusive global distributor of Worms on mobile platforms starting June 1. THQ Wireless currently holds the license, but given the publisher's shakeup in its mobile division earlier this year, this license transfer revelation sounds probable.

EA knows what it's doing in the mobile space, and given its affection for the iPhone, we have some high hopes and expectations if the mega-publisher does indeed take over the license.

[Via Edge]

They may not have spines, but they do have grenade launchers. Worms is coming to the PlayStation Network!

Team 17 has revealed on its Facebook page some images and details about its double-barrel offering of Worms on PSN and XBLA. With the OFLC outing both games last week, the studio didn't see the harm in showing off avatar support and vertical levels for the XBLA version, which is now apparently being called Worms 2: Armageddon.

The PSN edition of Worms -- which is an "expanded" port of the original XBLA game -- features "vastly" improved physics and displays in 1080p. We should have hands-on time with both titles at GDC and hopefully get a release window by then.

[Thanks, Benvio]

A listing appearing on the Australian Classification Office website has revealed that another Team 17 Worms title, Worms Armageddon Decade, may eventually inch its way to the Xbox Live Arcade.

The Armageddon Decade rating appears to have been applied for by Microsoft, which probably means this Worms edition will be an exclusive XBLA release and is a different project than the PSN's upcoming Worms. If the awesomeness that is Worms Armageddon is anything to go by, the XBLA's special Decades edition should be one of the most enjoyable Worms titles to date. That is, if Team 17 doesn't skimp on the weapon selection.

Update: Team 17 just informed us about the differences between the upcoming Worms games. The PSN edition will be an enhanced version of the XBLA release, including more weapons, additional levels, new audio and 1080p support.

The XBLA release of Worms Armageddon Decade (which we're told is subject to a name change) will be a "vastly expanded edition" of the original XBLA Worms, that will include weapons and features from Worms Armageddon as well as other brand new content. More details to come.

[Via GamerBytes; Thanks Ryan!]