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Our E3 2009 Predictions

With the new and supposedly improved Electronic Entertainment Expo just around the corner (here are some of last year's highlights), we decided to run down some quick predictions for what the overarching themes of the show will be.

Dan Ackerman:

God of War III and Rock Band: Beatles will be the big mainstream games and public (and retail buyers) care about. Variable price points, which are easy to do on DLC, help gamemakers target recession-addled audiences. Booth babes return, but in a subtle, post-wretched-excess kind of way. New hardware/accessory pushes from Nintendo and Sony hope to boost flagging … Read more

Sales show PS3 outsold again--now by the PS2

I'm starting to feel bad for Sony and the PS3 camp. I really am. Sales figures from The NPD Group, a prominent business research firm, show the three top spots for April's console sales went, respectively, to Nintendo for the DS, Wii, and DSi.

Then came Microsoft with the Xbox 360. Finally, Sony rounds out the rest, with the PS3 coming in sixth--behind its predecessor, the PS2. Ouch.

Of course, this likely has much to do with the price drop we reported on more than a month ago that took the PS2 to the $99.99 mark, a … Read more

DSiWare, WiiWare, and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week the Virtual Console celebrates its 300th downloadable game as a classic Zelda game finally makes its debut.

DSiWare Art Style: PiCTOBiTS (Gameloft, 500 DSi Points): This color matching block game is ready for download on the DSi Shop. Enjoy various levels of puzzle-solving fun and the occasional visit from a classic NES character. WiiWare Crystal Defenders R2 (Square Enix, 800 Points): Ward off the encroaching enemy fleet by deploying Fencers and Black Mages. Battle through various maps of combat and strategy. Silver Star Chess (Agetec, Inc., 500 Points): Finally you can ditch that cumbersome chess board and rely … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 975: Beauty is in the eye of the Boholder 1000

We discuss a computer algorithm that can determine if photos are pretty or not. I guess hot or not is going out of business. We also look at the causes of the Google error and speculate on how Wolfram Alpha will be used.

Listen now: Download today's podcast Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) | RSS (audio) | RSS (video) EPISODE 975

Networking error caused Google outage http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10241126-93.html

International Energy Agency says CE is gobbling up energy faster than green measures can save it http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE54C4K420090514?sp=true http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2009/05/power-hungry-gadgets-endanger-energy-efficiency-gains.ars … Read more

Portable-gaming recession-buster: The Retro Mini

iPhone games have redefined the meaning of cheap--in ways both good and bad --but you still need to drop at least $200 for an iPhone or iPod Touch. For real portable retro gaming with street cred, may we suggest the Retro Mini Handheld, which for only $49.99 plays old NES cartridges (once you've blown the dust out of them).

Considering NES carts can be had for pennies at Salvation Army thrift shops, this little beauty might be the best way to play games for next to nothing at all. Compare, for instance, the cost of a $2.… Read more

DSiWare, WiiWare, and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week brings us a standalone downloadable soccer game for the DSi, some family pirate fun on WiiWare, and a classic arcade space shooter to the Virtual Console.

DSiWare Real Soccer 2009 (Gameloft, 800 DSi Points): Finally, the DSi Shop gets an independently developed third-party downloadable game! Real Soccer 2009 provides great soccer action with 198 teams to choose from. Use the DSi's camera to create your own soccer ball. WiiWare Family Pirate Party (Aksys Games, 500 DSi Points): The Pirate family is back again, pillaging the seas for gold and other treasures. Play with up to four friends … Read more

DSiWare, WiiWare, and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week brings us plenty of Animal Crossing accessories for your DSi as well as a Commodore 64 classic.

DSiWare Animal Crossing Calculator (Nintendo, 200 DSi Points): This download isn't necessarily a game, it's actually just a calculator with Animal Crossing-themed buttons. Use conversions and other features everywhere you bring your DSi. Animal Crossing Clock (Nintendo, 200 DSi Points): Another download that isn't actually a real game, Animal Crossing Clock is just that. It's a clock--with Animal Crossing characters plastered all over it. You can view an analog or digital display as well as set an … Read more

What the PSP Go! needs to whack the DSi

A report from 1Up.com says the new version of the PSP will be hitting store shelves later this year. It will be announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June.

1Up.com also says the new PSP will be called the PSP Go! It's slated for a September release in Japan, followed by a U.S. launch in October or November. The publication said that the Go! will sport slide-out controls. Those who were hoping for dual analog sticks will be upset to hear that the new PSP will presumably still feature a single analog nub. 1Up believes that the Go! will come in two versions: one with 8GB of internal memory and another with 16GB of memory.

Shockingly, 1Up sources told the publication that Sony will be dumping the UMD drive for digital downloads. Players looking to add titles to their handheld will be able to do so by buying games from an online store.

Sony has not confirmed 1Up's report. And it's likely that the company won't be saying much as we get closer to E3. But if the 1Up report is true, is it enough to force Nintendo from its top spot in the hand-held gaming space?… Read more

DSiWare, WiiWare, and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week brings Dr. Mario to the DSi and Wonderboy to the Virtual Console. DSiWare Dr. Mario Express (Nintendo, 500 DSi Points): The classic color-matching puzzle game makes its way to the Nintendo portable in Dr. Mario Express. Play alone or against the computer in the race to fight off viruses. Master of Illusion Express: Deep Psyche (Nintendo, 200 DSi Points): Continuing the series of magic tricks for your DSi, Deep Psyche will ask you a number of questions in order to reveal a startling truth. WiiWare Crystal Defenders R1 (SQUARE ENIX, 800 Wii points): See how many encroaching monsters … Read more