sega

WiiWare and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week brings us the first horror/puzzle game we've heard of and a military simulator from the Sega Genesis era. WiiWare Lit (WayForward Technologies, 800 Wii points): We can't say that we've ever seen a horror-themed puzzle game before, but we're sure glad the two genres have met up on WiiWare. Explore 30 levels as you try to save your girlfriend from the dark creatures that have separated you. Virtual Console Wolf of the Battlefield: MERCS (Sega Genesis, 800 Wii points): MERCS provides classic arcade military combat action with two different game modes and five … Read more

CNET News Daily Podcast: MySQL founder leaves Sun

In Friday's podcast, MySQL founder says goodbye to Sun, Google recruits a whole army of white-space soldiers, and Lenovo says it will focus more heavily on selling PCs in China. Also, what's Sega up to with its patent filings? And the Senate might cut funding for broadband while trying to slim down the stimulus package.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Today's stories:

Marten Mickos to leave Sun in reorg

Google helps form 'white space' database coalition

Lenovo to refocus on Chinese market

Courts split over police searches of handhelds

Is Sega planning a return to the console market?… Read more

Is Sega planning a return to the console market?

If you've read the Digital Home for the past two years, you probably know that I hold a special place in my heart for Sega. I was always a heavy Genesis user and subsequent to that, I owned every console Sega released. That's precisely why a report from Siliconera has me excited.

According to the publication, Sega has trademarked two names, "Ringwide" and "Ringedge," as well as a logo containing rings. The trademark clearly says that the names will be used for "arcade game boards...stand alone video game machines, [or] arcade game machines with built-in screens."

So what can this mean? Obviously it's too early to tell, but some are saying that it could be Sega's return to the arcade business. I'm sure they would get excited about that, but the arcade business is a shadow of its former self. Since console gaming became a mainstay, it has lost much of its importance. I just don't see Sega investing in the arcade business.

But what if this filing is for a top-secret console the company is developing to compete with the next-generation of hardware? Will Ringwide or Ringedge take on the Wii 2, PlayStation 4, and Xbox 720?

I certainly hope so.… Read more

WiiWare and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week brings us a new snowboarding title that will work with your balance board and a classic Sonic game from the Master System era. WiiWare Snowboard Riot (Hudson Entertainment, 1,000 Wii points): In this snowboard battler and racer, you have the option to use the Balance Board to control your character. Ride with up to four players using Wi-Fi. LONPOS (Nintendo, 800 Wii points): LONPOS is a very straight-forward puzzle game that anyone can easily pick up and play. The game offers two modes of play with the option to download more backgrounds and puzzles. Virtual Console Sonic … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 899: Beware the suckware

An app for Google Android is allegedly wiping SD cards clean, which has some folks shouting malware! Stephen Shankland points out it's probably not malware, just suckware. We also cheer on the House of Representatives for not delaying the digital-TV transition. And Gmail goes offline, which is good news for those with flaky internet connection.

Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 899

Gmail offline http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-in-labs-offline-gmail.html http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10151096-2.html

House votes no on DTV bill http://www.ktvu.com/digital-tv/18583035/detail.html?treets=fran&tml=fran_natlbreak&ts=T&tmi=fran_natlbreak_1_12090101282009#-… Read more

The 404 267: Where we'd like to make love more regularly

Don't get your longjohns in a knot; even though we'd love more love makin' (not to each other), that show title is actually an inside joke about one of the stories on today's show. We invite our resident love guru MTI back onto the show to get his expert opinion on making love to vegetables, how to use a headset in the boudoir, and more passionate stories from around the Internet. It's all love today on The 404!

Today's show is all about helping you out in the sack. Unfortunately, we can't be there … Read more

Sega robo-cat will meow, won't catch mice

Some will call it cute, others will surely call it creepy. We'll reserve final judgment until we see how it feels when Sega Toys' new "Yume-Neko Venus," or "Dream Cat Venus," sheds on our couch and rubs up against our leg.

The robo-cat is equipped with touch sensors that let it engage in such real-life feline behavior as purring, moving its legs when you rub its belly, and sleeping a lot. It will not, as far as we know, scratch your face or drag mice in.

The furry faux cat (OK, maybe if you're … Read more

CES vendors showing off shady old-school console emulators

One of the interesting trends we saw at the lackluster gaming showcase at this year's CES was an abundance of Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and Sega Genesis hardware manufactured by third-party companies.

Some booths, which preferred to remain nameless, were showcasing 3-in-1 portable players as well, with slots to play all the above-mentioned consoles. All you need are the original game cartridges.

Perplexed as to how this kind of blatant patent infringement could possibly be tolerated, we asked these booth reps, "How can this be legal?" One booth rep immediately told us that "the patent for these … Read more

Five sites that lead to online gaming addiction

Have you ever had work piling up, a boss breathing down your neck wondering when it will get done, and the strongest urge to forget about it for a while and head to your favorite online gaming site to waste the hours away in a blaze of gaming glory?

I'm a victim of that myself. Because of that, I've compiled a list of some of the best online gaming sites across the Web where I waste the time away. I'm sure many of you know others--this isn't an exhaustive list--so feel free to share them with … Read more