Nintendo's Next DS Will Have Free 3G?

Topic: Gaming

They may not want to admit it, but Nintendo is losing ground in the handheld gaming market to the iPhone. While iPhone users have access to 3G Internet wherever they go, the DS only has WiFi access. This greatly limits its usefulness as an online gaming platform, and also makes downloading games and other apps online a much less attractive proposition. Mobile gaming should be just that; mobile. Being confined to your home or a WiFi hotspot in order to game online is a serious hindrance.

While Nintendo has yet to admit that the iPhone is their #1 handheld gaming competitor, they seem to be taking action to defend against it anyway. According to Financial Times (via Electronista) the gaming giant is considering adding free 3G access to their next handheld. Satoru Iwata, the company president, stated on Friday that Nintendo is considering adding an extra up front charge to their next handheld, in exchange for free lifetime 3G access.

Posted on Sun, 1 Nov 2009 02:16:18 CST | by Robert Evans

Nintendo DSi LL Unveiled

Topic: Gaming

Besides less than spectacular earnings numbers Nintendo also unveiled today the rumored new Nintendo DSi LL with larger screen.
The new Nintendo DSi LL features a 4.2 inch screen and measures 161x91.4x21.2mm and weighs 314g. (The DSi weighs only 214g).
Read more

Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:08:18 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Nintendo Profit Way Down, Is the Wii's Reign Over?

Topic: Gaming

Nintendo announced their half year earnings and the profit for the April to September period is down 52% compared to last year according to the WSJ. Nintendo also lowered the forecast for the full fiscal year to 230 billion Yen profit compared to 300 billion yen forecasted earlier.
Nintendo blames the strong yen and the recent Wii price-cut for the drop in profit. Though Nintendo also sold way less Wii consoles compared to last year. Read more

Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Tekken 6 Review

Topic: Gaming

Tekken 6 is shipping today. If you have not pre-ordered the new fighting game then you might want to check out the indepth review on IGN to find out what you are missing today.

Quote from the review: "Although beginners can get by in Tekken 6 by mashing buttons, the real fun comes from learning the game's intricate sub-systems and developing a sense of the mind games that play out about between two skilled opponents. Tekken 6 has a lot to offer, including a massive roster, refined gameplay, plenty of modes, online multiplayer and an absurd amount of character customization options. Read more

Posted on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Xbox 360 Gets A Blu-ray Drive Says Steve Ballmer?

Topic: Gaming

That comes out of now where. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says in a new interview just published on Gizmodo that the Xbox 360 gets Blu-ray drives as accessories.

Since the whole HD DVD disaster Microsoft always said no to Blu-ray drives and put streaming movie services as the valid alternative. Read more

Posted on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:23:24 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Black Wii Bundle Headed To Europe

Topic: Gaming

Everyone knows that black is a way cooler color than white. When you've got a white gaming console, you're just another member of the herd. Blending in, keeping a low profile, playing by the rules and trying to stay straight and fly right. The Wii has a reputation for being a great kiddy and casual gamer console, but it still needs to be able to draw in the hardcore set.

That's why Nintendo is putting out a black Wiimote, and also why they're bringing an all-black Wii bundle to Europe (via Engadget). That's right, starting November 6th you folks in the UK and Ireland will be able to express your angst through a darkened console. On the 20th, the rest of Europe gets the opportunity.

Posted on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:56:02 CDT | by Robert Evans

Transformers, Revenge Of The Fallen: AR Game Review

Topic: Gaming

If you're reading this blog, you've heard about the Transformers sequel. The first was a critically panned, enormously successful popcorn movie. The second was...well, the exact same thing. Don't get me wrong; I have no problems with the Transformers franchise. They're not my cup of tea, but there's nothing wrong with enjoying them. I love the Ace Ventura movies, so I have absolutely no room to condescend.

Anyway, this review isn't about the movie, or even really the DVD. It's about a special augmented reality game (Ships Today from Amazon) included with the DVD. In order to unlock the game, you'll have to visit this website and present your newly purchased box to a webcam in order to gain access. It may take some doing to get the whole front in, and focused well enough to grant you access.

Posted on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:00:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Sony PS3 Outsells Nintendo Wii In U.S. For the First Time

Topic: Gaming

The video game hardware sales numbers for September were released by the NPD Group. Sony is back on top after a very, very long time. The Sony PS3 outsold the Nintendo Wii in September selling almost a half million PS3 consoles (491,800).
Nintendo managed to stay close by selling 462,800 Wii consoles in September. The Xbox 360 is a bit further off with 352,600 units sold (Bloomberg).
As this is a big event for Sony, CEO Jack Tretton made a blog post on the official Sony Playstation Blog titled: "Welcom to the PlayStation Nation". Read more

Posted on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Very Cool Energizer Flat Panel Induction Charger For Wii Remotes Unveiled

Topic: Gaming

Because wires suck it is great that more and more wireless charging solutions are hitting the market. Today Energizer and PDP unleash the Energizer Flat Panel Induction Charger.
The Energizer Flat Panel Induction Charger simply lets you lay your Wii remote down on the charge pad.
There is no fussing with wires or battery packs, and no need to remove sleeves, Wii MotionPlus or lanyards. Magnets secure the Wii remotes in the perfect position on the charger. Read more

Posted on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:03:56 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

The Secret World: A Class-less MMORPG?

Topic: Gaming

When I was younger I played a pen and paper RPG called "Shadowrun". It was a cyberpunk game, with magic and other fantasy elements tossed in for good measure. What made Shadowrun most interesting to me was the fact that it was an RPG with a totally classless character development system. In most games you decide at the start which (very limited) roll your character is going to fill in the party. This leads to unsatisfied players who find out, too late, that the roll their class fulfills in game isn't the one they signed up to play. One look at the WoW class forums should be enough to prove that class-based RPGs have some problems.

Ever since I played Shadowrun, I've been waiting for a major MMORPG to take the same idea and make a truly open character development system. With their new game The Secret World it looks like Funcom is trying to do just that. You may remember Funcom from the troubled MMO "Age of Conan". While AoC was a dark fantasy game set in the pre-historic world of Robert Howard, TSW is a cyberpunk/conspiracy game that seems to be largely based off of Robert Anton Wilson's Illuminatus trilogy.

Posted on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:58:10 CDT | by Robert Evans

Heckler & Koch MP5 Wiimote Controller?

Topic: Gaming

Lightguns usually look pretty lame. That's intentional on the part of the designers; parents tend to complain when kids get badass, realistic looking guns for their gaming consoles. Apparently one company didn't get that memo, however. A Chinese manufacturer has put together a 1:1 scale semi-accurate representation of the Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun that functions as a Wiimote.

And not just a Wiimote. According to Pocket Lint this awesome new light gun functions as a nunchuck and a Wii MotionPlus. It contains a built-in battery and recharges via USB. It also comes with a speaker, and rumble functionality.

Posted on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:08:29 CDT | by Robert Evans