October 12, 2006, 2:51 PM PDT
Next-gen gaming at Digital Life; minimal for the masses
Posted by: David Rudden

With just more than a month until the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii release, your average, everyday, nonjournalist gamer still hasn't had the opportunity to try out the upcoming consoles. The burgeoning Digital Life show, open to press and public alike, would have been a great chance for folks to get some hands-on time with the consoles, but both console manufacturer and game developers conspired to deliver few opportunities to do just that. The PS3 had a dedicated area in Sony's booth, but only two demo units and two playable titles--NBA Live 2007 and Resistance: Fall of Man. Additionaly, Sega had the PS3 version of Sonic the Hedgehog in playable form, though its presence was largely negated by the similar-looking Xbox 360 version just feet away. The Nintendo Wii was even more scarce. Nintendo had no presence at the show--no big surprise--but Konami did have a playable demo of Elebits. which was surprisingly fun.

While Digital Life may have been lacking in next-gen goodness--wait a few weeks for retail kiosks to start popping up--it's still well worth the trek for any gamers in the Metro area, with the aforementioned companies as well as UbiSoft, EA, Microsoft, GameTap, and various others showing off some sweet upcoming titles such as Guitar Hero II, Splinter Cell Double Agent, Contra for Xbox Live Arcade, and Sam & Max Freelance Police. If you have a couple of bucks and a few hours to wait in line, hit up the Jacob Javits Convention Center--or, as I call it, the Dub-J--and get your game geek on.

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October 12, 2006, 2:45 PM PDT
Digital Life: Xploder HDTV player aims to blow up the PS2's resolution
Posted by: David Rudden

While the Xbox 360 and the upcoming PlayStation 3 are excellent HDTV companions, finding high-def love on older consoles is a bit more difficult. Unlike the somewhat HD-friendly Xbox1, the PlayStation 2 has only had a small fraction of its library available in 16:9 aspect ratio and resolutions of 480p or higher. U.K. gaming accessory company Blaze Games has developed an upconverting solution for folks who want to game in high-def without the high cost with the Xploder HDTV player for the PS2. The Xploder will be brought to the States next month by Mad Catz and should retail for $50.

The Xploder HDTV Player runs on PS2 via a bootup disc that allows you to toggle between various VGA and component resolutions (a component cable is included in the package). The company boasts compatibility with roughly 95 percent of the PS2's library, though I detected a hint of regret when a company rep informed me that Wallace & Gromit did not make the cut--apparently they still really like those movies across the pond. The title on display at Digital Life, Burnout Revenge, was running much cleaner when the Xploder was in play, but you can never really be sure what kind of cable chicanery is in play at trade shows. We'll take the player through its paces soon and give you a final verdict when it releases.

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October 11, 2006, 11:55 AM PDT
Back onstage: Belkin busts out the TuneStage II
Posted by: David Rudden

Following up on its well-received TuneStage and TuneCommand AV iPod accessories, Belkin has announced the TuneStage II, which should address most of the shortcomings of its predecessor when it's released in November for $150.

Like the earlier TuneStage, the TuneStage II lets you wirelessly transmit your music from your iPod to your home stereo, utilizing a snap-on transmitter and a small base station. But the newer model offers two key improvements: it's compatible with the newly released iPod Nano and 5G models (as well as pretty much every other dock-enabled iPod), and it utilizes Bluetooth 2.0 (rather than the 1.2 version found on the original TuneStage), which offers the potential for better sound quality.

While the original TuneStage performed adequately, the product was limited by the fact that the snap-on dongle interfaced only with older iPod models. We'll have a full hands-on review of the TuneStage II as soon as it becomes available.

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October 03, 2006, 8:12 AM PDT
Sony's PS3 controller named, accessories priced in Japan
Posted by: David Rudden

After eight years of the DualShock being the company's primary PlayStation controller, the loss of vibration functionality has forced Sony to rename it. The PlayStation 3's standard first-party controller will be called SixAxis, referring to its ability to sense six degrees of movement. The SixAxis will sell for approximately $43 when it comes out in Japan and will run for almost 30 hours on a single charge via USB. Other accessories announced at the show with pricing in Japan include the USB Memory Card Adapter, available at launch for about $13, which will allow you to transfer PS1 and PS2 saves to the PS3, and the PS3 Blu-ray remote for roughly $31, which will come out on December 7. Will the U.S. launch adopters be stuck using the controller to watch Blu-ray flicks, too? We should know more concrete U.S. accessory details after the company's annual Gamers' Day conference on October 19.

Source: Kotaku

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September 27, 2006, 12:15 AM PDT
Microsoft reveals Xbox 360 HD-DVD release info, new titles at X06
Posted by: David Rudden

At the company's X06 conference in Barcelona, Spain, Microsoft provided worldwide-release details for the Xbox 360's external HD-DVD drive. The drive will be available for $200 in the United States when it comes out in mid-November, with Peter Jackson's King Kong on HD-DVD and the Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote. The player will also launch in the U.K., France, and Germany around the same time, for 130 pounds and 200 euros, respectively. Other territories will follow in 2007. According to Joystiq, the HD-DVD drive will be compatible with both the Premium and Core models of the system. Coupled with the price of the system, HD-DVD movies on the 360 will set you back $500 or $600--roughly the same price as Toshiba's entry-level HD-DVD players. You get the added benefit of a high-quality gaming console, but it lacks the all-important HDMI cable. Few HDTVs accept 1080p via component, and the ominious threat of component image constraint is looming, so a few movie studios could ruin the HD-DVD fun for Xbox 360 owners.

Should you suddenly find your HD-DVDs downconverted, at least there'll be plenty of great titles to enjoy on your 360. Here are the biggest gaming announcements of X06:

The big announcement at the press conference was Halo Wars, a real-time strategy title set in the Halo universe. This is in addition to mysterious franchise-related content in development by Halo film director Peter Jackson.

The grandfather of first-person shooters will be on Xbox Live Arcade, and much sooner than anyone expected. The original Doom will be available today for 800 Microsoft Points, with a few bonuses, including four player co-op and death match via Xbox Live.

A few titles were announced to have varying levels of Xbox 360 exclusivity. Bioshock will be exclusive to 360 and Windows during its spring launch, and Grand Theft Auto IV will have "epic" episodes available for download within months of the game's October 2007 release. First- and second-party titles announced at the conference, including Project Gotham Racing 4 and Banjo-Kazooie, are obviously also sticking with the 360. But the next iteration of Splinter Cell from UbiSoft, after the upcoming Double Agent, will be, too.

Source: GameSpot

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September 22, 2006, 10:06 AM PDT
Sony drops Japanese PS3 price, adds HDMI to all models; Microsoft comps early model 360 repairs.
Posted by: David Rudden

Once in a while, the planets align, the wind changes, and video game companies decide to do what's best for the customer. Yesterday was one of those days. At the company's Tokyo Game Show keynote, Sony announced that the PlayStation 3's launch price in Japan would drop from approximately $515 to $430, for the standard model only. For those who turned a blind eye to Sony's lesser SKU, you may want to reconsider, as it was announced that the cheaper bundle will now also include HDMI support. For those of you keeping score, the premium bundle now boasts a 60GB hard drive to the standard version's 20GB; as well as Wi-Fi support, while the standard can connect via an Ethernet cable. Like the Xbox 360, you can upgrade the core model with various accessories.

On the subject of the Xbox 360, Microsoft is attempting to make amends with irate early adopters whose consoles were sent in for repairs. The company announced yesterday that any defective consoles purchased between the November 22 2005 launch and the end of the year will get pro bono product service. Customers who've already paid for their system repairs--such as yours truly--will get a refund on prior services. I wonder what I'll do with my $130 refund?! Probably buy some Xbox 360 games...

Source: GameSpot

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September 20, 2006, 8:30 AM PDT
Tokyo Game Show: Microsoft reveals HD-DVD Japanese release info, plans for 1080p display
Posted by: David Rudden

Microsoft put some potential dents in the PlayStation 3's high-def armor during the company's Tokyo Game Show press conference, revealing a Japanese release date and a price point for the HD-DVD drive (November 22, approximately $177) as well as plans to support HD-DVD, video, and games in 1080p after a software update in the fall. No release details were given for the U.S. version, though the other accessories announced at the show fell in line with U.S. release dates.

Microsoft's 1080p plans may be more flash than substance, however. Because the 360 lacks an HDMI output, the only way to get the improved HD resolution will be via the system's default component outputs or (presumably) by adding a VGA cable (sold separately). The problem: almost no HDTVs actually accept 1080p video signals via their component inputs. VGA/RGB inputs tend to fare better in this regard, but they're not as prevalent on HDTVs as the ubiquitous component inputs are. Also, movie studios have the option of adding a so-called Image Constraint Token to their HD-DVD and Blu-ray movies, a copy-protection option that delivers less-than-optimal resolution through all outputs but HDMI. They have yet to do so, but if they reverse course, watching HD-DVDs on the 360 would deliver a movie-watching experience that's little better than that of standard DVDs. Similarly, while the software update may enable the 360 to upscale games and videos to 1080p resolution, most games will still be optimized for a native resolution of 720p. (For more info on HDTV resolutions, check out CNET's HDTV resolutions explained.)

HDMI issues notwithstanding, the Microsoft Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive represents an excellent value--if the price point for the States stays reasonably close, one could pick up a state-of-the-art video game system and a high-def movie player for less than $600.

Source: GameSpot and Kotaku

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September 14, 2006, 11:00 AM PDT
Nintendo Wii release details: Nov. 19, $250 with a game included
Posted by: David Rudden

After major outlets such as the New York Times and USA Today revealed the big news--that the Nintendo Wii will come out in North America on Nov. 19 at $250, with one game, Wii Sports, included with the console--Nintendo used its morning press conference in New York to provide more details regarding the system's launch:

In addition to the console--available only in white--and Wii Sports (a compilation of games including tennis, golf, bowling, baseball, and boxing), the Wii will have power and A/V cables, one Wii Remote, one Nunchuk controller, and one remote sensor. Extra Wii Remotes will sell for $40 and Nunchuk controllers will sell for $20. So to get the same controller accessories that are sold with the system, you are looking at a hefty $60.

The classic controller--a more conventional-style game pad designed to better control the large library of retro titles available for the system--will be sold separately for $20. When we asked Nintendo about the A/V hookup, they said the system would include an all-in-one composite-component cable much like the one included with the premium Xbox 360. We did not get to see those cables, so take that one with a grain of salt.

We did get a good look at the console's ports and slots after the conference, and we spied an SD memory card slot in front to complement the 512 MB of internal memory. We also saw four GameCube controller and memory card slots on the top of the Wii. The rear panel housed inputs for the power cord, A/V cables, and the motion sensor, along with a pair of USB ports.

There will be 30 Wii titles on shelves by the end of the year, with 15 available at launch. Nintendo confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and ExciteTruck will be among the titles in stores at launch. Nintendo's titles will sell for $50--the same price as Microsoft's internally-produced Xbox 360 titles. Prices for third-party titles have yet to be revealed.

A wide variety of third-party titles were confirmed, including Call of Duty 3, Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, Madden NFL 07, Need For Speed: Carbon, Red Steel, Splinter Cell: Double Agent, and Far Cry: Vengeance. In addition to proving that Nintendo has a good number of companies in its corner this time around, the slate of shooters available should also serve as proof that, despite appearances, this console ain't just for kids.

In addition to Wii-specific titles available at retail, the new console is also fully backwards-compatible with all GameCube discs. Moreover, the system's "Virtual Console" will allow users to download a bevy of classic titles from past Nintendo consoles, as well as games originally released for the Sega Genesis and NEC TurboGRAFX. There will be about 30 classic games available on the Wii at launch, including such fan favorites as Donkey Kong, Super Mario World, and Super Mario 64. Approximately 10 additional backlist titles will be added every month. Games will be purchased with Wii Points, a proprietary currency that will work much like Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360. The games will run between 500 and 1000 points. Nintendo will sell 2000 points for $20.

The Wii's navigation will be done through a variety of pages called "Wii Channels" that take advantage of the system's "always online" capabilities. Among the channels shown at the event were a forecast channel (weather), news channel, and a message channel, which allows you to send messages to other Wii owners and e-mails to friends. The channel "home page" is the system's default gateway, which also provides access to the disc-based Wii/GameCube games and Virtual Console titles. Rounding things out is the Mii Channel, which lets you create your own digital avatar, save it to your remote, and bring it to other Wii consoles, as well as use it in games like Wii Sports.

Unlike Nintendo's previous consoles and portables, which shied away from performing multimedia functions, the Wii will have Web-surfing and photo-viewing capabilities, though the previously announced DVD-playback support has been nixed, according to IGN. To use the photo viewer, you simply plug in an SD memory card with photos on it to view them on your television. The system will use Opera as its Web browser, which will be purchasable through the Wii by using a still-undisclosed amount of Wii Points.

The Wii's Wi-Fi gaming capabilities will not be available at launch, nor will connectivity with the DS. Pokemon Battle Revolution will be the first title to utilize an online multiplayer, though no U.S. release date was set.

Nintendo had previously announced that the system would not exceed $250, a promise the company kept. While a few people were expecting an even lower price, the inclusion of a pack-in title should help ease the pain. Another widely held assumption was that Nintendo would try to release the system before Sony's PlayStation 3. Instead, it's coming out two days later, though in much higher quantities: four million consoles worldwide by the end of the year to Sony's two million. While we had a few qualms--the accessories are a bit pricey, and the games haven't improved much in terms of graphics since E3--Nintendo's combination of unique control features, an ultra-affordable price, and a huge back catalog of retro games make the system appealing for casual and enthusiast gamers alike. Be sure to check back soon for pictures and videos from the event.

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August 29, 2006, 10:20 AM PDT
Microsoft adds dozens of Xbox 360-compatible games
Posted by: David Rudden

Microsoft unleashed a massive update to the Xbox 360's backward-compatibility list yesterday, adding 37 more original Xbox titles to the list, making 250 of the system's 600-plus games playable on its successor. In addition, the company updated support for 9 titles, 2 of which had been removed from the list for a brief period. For the folks who thought Microsoft shied away from making cheaper Xbox ports of 360 titles playable, this update offers up food for thought, including the upcoming Lego Star Wars II and the Namco Museum 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection, which includes a smattering of Xbox Live Arcade titles at a fraction of the price. If you're not a stickler for achievement points, this list could save you a pretty penny. Here are the newly added games:

• Aggressive Inline
• All-Star Baseball 2005
• Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis
• Burnout 3: Takedown
• Catwoman
• Dead to Rights
• ESPN Major League Baseball
• Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Director's Cut
• Freaky Flyers
• Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows
• The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer --returning to the list
• IndyCar Series 2005
• The Legend of Spyro: A Beginning
• Lego Star Wars II
• Links 2004
• Maximum Chase
• Mortal Kombat: Deception--returning to the list
• MTX: Mototrax Featuring Travis Pastrana
• MX vs. ATV Unleashed
• Namco Museum 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection
• Outlaw Tennis
• Richard Burns Rally--Europe-only release
• Rogue Trooper
• Serious Sam
• Shincho Mahjong--Japan-only release
• Sid Meier's Pirates!
• Smashing Drive
• Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run
• The Suffering
• Taz: Wanted
• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon - Island Thunder
• Torino 2006 Winter Olympics
• Trigger Man
• True Crime: Streets of LA
• Vietcong: Purple Haze
• Wrath Unleashed
• X-Men II: Wolverine's Revenge

Our full list of backward-compatible games on the Xbox 360 will be updated with this information soon. In addition, one of the above titles managed to crack our best Xbox 360 compatible Xbox games roundup. Click through to find out if it was Aquaman, Catwoman, or a less hilarious choice.

Source: GameSpot

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August 23, 2006, 9:02 AM PDT
Microsoft sprachens about holiday-slated gaming accessories at Leipzig
Posted by: David Rudden

Coinciding with the company's press conference at Leipzig, Germany's Game Conference (the first contender for E3's recently vacated game convention crown), Microsoft revealed the release plans for its slate of Xbox 360 and 360-themed PC accessories.

First to release will be the Xbox Live Vision camera. Available on September 19, the accessory will come in two configurations. The cheaper of the two will run $40 and include the camera, a one-month subscription to Xbox Live Gold, an Xbox 360 headset, and two Xbox Live Arcade games that support the camera--Uno and TotemBall. An $80 bundle will add in a full-year subscription to Xbox Live Gold, a third Xbox Live Arcade game (Robotron: 2084), and 200 Marketplace points. Microsoft also revealed that a few previously released Xbox Live Arcade games--card and board games, mostly--will be updated to work with the camera.

November will see two more eagerly anticipated accessories hit store shelves. The Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel will be available for $150 and will include a new version of Project Gotham Racing 3 reworked to offer force-feedback support. Also out that month will be the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset. The perfect companion to the system's wireless controller will be available for $60.

Finally, in December, a $20 receiver will be available to connect your Xbox 360 Wireless Controller to your PC. Wait--just the receiver? Shouldn't Microsoft be bundling something else with it that folks already have? By my own count, if I buy everything listed here but the more-expensive camera bundle, I'll have three headsets as well as two copies each of Uno and Project Gotham Racing 3. Keep your eyes peeled for reviews of these products--extraneous items and all--when they drop throughout the holiday season.

Source: GameSpot

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