11/06, 2:15pm
Nintendo head says Wii HD not happening
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has again taken time to deny rumors of an advanced Wii shipping next year. Following assertions by analyst Michael Pachter that a new model is due in 2010, Fils-Aime tells Gametrailers TV that Pachter is the only one making such claims and that the rumored console is "not happening." Fils-Aime doesn't talk about whether or not the Wii will be updated at any point in the future but is emphatic that a replacement isn't coming soon.
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11/06, 9:55am
Raises iPhone privacy issues
A California iPhone developer, Storm8, has been accused of spying on iPhone owners, according to court documents. A lawsuit was recently submitted on behalf of Washington resident Michael Turner, charging Storm8 with several violations including breaches of contract, the California Computer Crime Law and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. On August 26th, says Turner, the company openly admitted that its games had been illicitly collecting phone numbers.
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11/05, 7:30pm
Adapter to replace current 802.11g model
Microsoft's 802.11n adapter for the Xbox 360 has surfaced in Costco's online store for a slightly discounted price of $88. The accessory previously popped up in GameStop's inventory slated for November 3rd, although the listing was later removed. Costco claims the adapter is scheduled for shipment a week later on November 10th.
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11/04, 2:35pm
Walmart confirms day of deals
Yesterday's leak of Walmart offering several sales on consumer electronics products has been confirmed today by the big-box electronics retailer. The one-day deals are slated to start on Saturday, November 7th at 8AM. The leaked image matches Walmart's official products down to the prices and includes an Xbox 360 Arcade gaming console coming with a $100 gift card for $199. The headline offering, according to Walmart, is a 46-inch plasma HDTV with 1080p resolution and three HDMI ports for $788.
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11/03, 5:00pm
Walmart weekend deals on electronics leaked
Walmart will be selling Xbox 360 Arcade edition for $199 bundled with a $100 gift card this upcoming Saturday, Kotaku reported on Tuesday. If true, this would be the best deal for the popular gaming console to date. At the same time, the leaked inventory screen capture reveals a number of other items on sale, including a $148 Sony Blu-ray disc player and a 42-inch Sharp TV for $498.
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11/03, 10:45am
NBA Live, FIFA 10, Mystery Mania, Boggle
EA Mobile has released four new iPhone and iPod touch applications on Apple's App Store: NBA Live, EA Sports FIFA 10, Mystery Mania, and Boggle. NBA Live is a basketball game where players take control and play against authentic NBA teams in a variety of modes. Features include the ability to unlock and add legendary characters to a team, fifteen different music tracks to choose from, and the ability to control the players via the virtual analog stick or accelerometer. Different game modes include an 82-game Season mode, an Exhibition, and a Playoff mode.
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11/03, 10:45am
Dora and Diego adevnture games, solve puzzles
Avanquest Software’s Nova Development unit in collaboration with Nickelodeon has launched three new children’s software titles for the Mac, consisting of Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego Go! characters. The two latest Dora the Explorer games include Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom and Dora the Explorer Lost and Found Adventure--both require children to search for various items that have been taken from them and hidden away.
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11/02, 12:05pm
Modifies gameplay for handhelds
EA has launched an iPhone version of Command & Conquer: Red Alert, its real-time strategy game originally developed for Windows. The title is set in an alternate universe where Adolf Hitler has been assassinated by a time-traveling Albert Einstein, paving the way for the Soviet Union to become the world's dominant military threat. Unusual weapons come to the fore as well, such as combat airships.
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11/02, 10:50am
Maingear SHIFT is liquid-cooled, aluminum
Maingear today tackled the very high end, designer category of gaming PCs with the SHIFT. The system is specially designed by Maingear with an aluminum chassis and a rare, vertically-aligned cooling system; besides using an Asetek system to cool the processor without fans, all other components point upwards and have their heat naturally vent upwards instead of front-to-back like in most PCs. The system is also subtler with an all-black design and a pop-up port array on the top with card readers, FireWire, USB and audio.
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11/02, 10:15am
Recreates original gameplay mechanics
id Software has released Doom Classic for the iPhone and iPod touch. A new version of the company's signature first-person shooter, the app recreates all of the original game's episodes, as well as the later fourth episode, Thy Flesh Consumed. Also brought back are the original gameplay mechanics, here controlled through one of three different schemes.
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10/30, 11:50pm
Halloween puzzle game resembles Runes of Avalon 2
Anawiki Games has released Spooky Runes, a Halloween version of its Runes of Avalon 2 for the Mac. Spooky Runes is a puzzle-based adventure that takes place in Avalon, after it has been invaded by ghouls, bats, ghosts, and other various creatures. During the game players must solve a variety of puzzles which are spread throughout 35 different levels, in order to help the main character Evelyne collect enough magic runes to get rd of the monsters.
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10/30, 3:25pm
Nokia N-Gage closes in 2010
Nokia today closed a chapter in its online history today with news that it would close its N-Gage gaming service. The company plans to shutter the game download and community in September 2010 and is moving all its users over to the Ovi Store. Games on devices and in the store will remain, but Nokia warns that community features like high scores will come to an end as part of the switchover.
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10/30, 2:50pm
Nintendo DS sequel may follow Kindle model
Nintendo's next-generation portable game machine could have free 3G access built in, company president Satoru Iwata commented on Friday. While not a definite plan, the executive tells those he is at least considering an echo of the Amazon Kindle's business model, which charges extra up front in return for lifetime 3G access. The model would be dictated by Nintendo's younger user base and the primary gaming focus of its devices.
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10/29, 10:00am
Nintendo DSi LL to leave Japan in early Q1
Nintendo has quickly confirmed that the DSi LL will ship outside of Japan. A British representative explains that the larger handheld, named in a statement as the "DSi XL," should reach at least Europe sometime in the first quarter of 2010, or before the end of March. The contact isn't ready to supply pricing but does say it will cost more than the DSi when it goes on sale.
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10/29, 7:40am
DSi LL has larger screen for Internet use
Nintendo quickly confirmed rumors today by unveiling the DSi LL. Its screens have increased by more than an inch to 4.2 inches each and are seen as better for Internet access as well as for gameplay. It also gets a larger, more comfortable second stylus and a battery life that increases from 2.5 hours to three during active gameplay.
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10/28, 4:30pm
Scrapped robot saves girlfriend
Macgamestore.com has published Amanita's Machinarium, a point-and-click adventure game set in a world populated by robots. Players find themselves in the game's title city, guiding a robot trying to making it out of the scrapyard to save his robot girlfriend and confront the Black Cap Brotherhood.
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10/26, 8:45pm
4" screen expected with updated model
A report originating from the Japanese financial newspaper Nikkei claims that Nintendo is readying an updated DSi featuring a 4-inch display. If true, the revamped device would exceed the current model's screen by ¾ of an inch. The company is reportedly making the adjustment in response to user feedback, while accommodating older users who have complained of problems using the smaller size.
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10/26, 7:05am
PS3 Netflix deal breaks Xbox exclusive
Netflix this morning broke its once-exclusive Xbox 360 deal with Microsoft by offering Netflix for PlayStation 3. The link will let any US-based PS3 owner with a Netflix subscription stream movies and TV shows online; they can also add movies to the queue and rate titles. Early on, the service will depend on customers owning a free Blu-ray disc that draws on BD-Live for Internet access, but the service should eventually be integrated into the PS3's firmware.
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10/23, 5:50pm
Wrap 310 video eyewear resembles sunglasses
Vuzix has begun shipping its latest video eyewear device, Wrap 310, that was initially announced in September. The new eyewear incorporates the same basic functionality as the company’s visor-style displays, but with an outer design that resembles traditional sunglasses. It features a maximum screen resolution of 428x240 for each of its widescreen displays, which is said to be comparable to viewing a 55-inch screen from approximately 10 feet away.
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10/23, 11:40am
Analyst sees Apple winning mobile gaming
The iPhone platform could overtake rivals Nintendo and Sony for the lead in growing handheld gaming in as little as five years, a DFC Intelligence report says. The analyst group believes portable hardware from the Japanese companies is likely to still lead in terms of sheer units in the future but believes growth has "peaked" for devices like the DSi or PSP Go where Apple's platform is still climbing quickly. By 2014, the iPhone and iPod touch are expected to be the only major devices still seeing significant growth.
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10/22, 7:00pm
Major Nelson says no Blu Xbox
Xbox Live Programming Director Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb tonight quickly denied Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's statements pointing to an Xbox 360 Blu-ray player. He now claims that Ballmer was referring to PC drives and repeats Microsoft's frequent public statements that it has "no plans" to add Blu-ray. He maintains instead that the Zune Video Marketplace will be the only HD video option in the near future.
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10/22, 7:55am
Ballmer sees Blu-ray external only
Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer may have inadvertently tipped off his firm's plans for an external Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360 in a talk in advance of today's Windows 7 launch. The executive is doubtful that it will ever be built-in but does tell Gizmodo that an external Blu-ray drive will be an option. He doesn't provide details but is unexpectedly confident that the hardware is enroute.
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10/21, 8:20pm
Company to make the console less of a 'toy'
Game designed Shigeru Miyamoto has provided insight into Nintendo's upcoming Wii 2 console. In an interview with Popular Mechanics, Miyamoto suggested that the Wii's successor will feature a smaller form-factor and a lower price tag. He also hinted that the company may expand the Wii's capabilities to extend beyond its basic functionality as a toy.
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10/20, 4:15pm
Altec intros amp-like portable speaker
Altec Lansing on Tuesday introduced a new gaming console speaker system, its Stage-Gig. Resembling a guitar amp, the amplified speaker is made to work with Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and DJ Hero titles on any gaming console. The 6.5-inch woofer contains a horn-loaded silk tweeter and has 40W of power. For easy portability, a carrying handle is built in, and the device can be daisy-chained with others thanks to a built-in AC outlet and RCA connections.
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10/20, 3:30pm
Europeans to get black Wii bundle with two games
Nintendo UK announced on Tuesday that it will soon offer a limited edition Wii bundle in Europe that includes a black console, black Wii remote with Wii MotionPlus adapter and Nunchuk, along with Wii Sports Resort and Wii Sports game titles. Europeans will also get a standalone version of the Classic Controller Pro in black, which improves upon the existing Classic Controller, though just how hasn't been discussed. Black versions of the Wii remotes, Wii MotionPlus add-ons and Nunchuk controllers will also become available.
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10/20, 10:40am
First-person puzzler
SpeedRunGames has released a new first-person action and puzzle title, Grappling Hook. Players control a character with a hook attached to their hand, which lets them perform a series of tricks to overcome various obstacles. Gamers navigate 22 different levels, facing 176 challenges which can lead to 30 achievement awards.
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10/16, 3:25pm
GameStop launches two-tone Xbox 360 gamepad
Video game retailer GameStop is now offering a specially made Xbox 360 controller. The limited-edition device is the first official multi-colored gamepad for the Xbox 360, and will begin shipping the week of October 19th. The controller includes a Play & Charge Kit and is covered in faux carbon fiber with red accents.
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10/15, 4:20pm
Slim PS3 with larger drive due Nov. 3
Sony in mid-afternoon revealed that it will launch a 250GB version of the PlayStation 3 in North America. Previously only due for Europe bundled with a game, the US and Canadian version will only include the higher-capacity hard disk, which more than doubles the existing slim PS3's capacity. The extra storage is pitched as a help for downloadable games as well as those who download movies from PSN in HD.
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10/15, 10:15am
Logitech gaming keyboard has custom LED backlight
Logitech launched its latest gaming keyboard on Thursday, the Gaming Keyboard G110. The device has custom LED backlighting for all of its keys, and users can connect USB headsets or microphones through ports on the back for both. The LEDs illuminating the keys can be set to all-blue or all-red as well as mixed to create any shade of purple.
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10/14, 10:55am
Nintendo Wii black controllers for US
Nintendo on Thursday brought out its first non-white Wii controllers for the US. Previously only found in Japan, black versions of both the Wii remote and the nunchuk controller will reach the country. Both are functionally identical to their reference versions, although the remote will include the MotionPlus add-on and all-black protective jacket in the box.
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10/13, 10:10pm
The Three Musketeers: The Game
Dingo Games has released its latest adventure game for the Mac, The Three Musketeers: The Game. Following the original Three Musketeers novel, players take control of D’Artagnan who has set off for Paris in the hopes of becoming a Musketeer. During the game players will mingle with some of the more well known Musketeers such as Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, and will be forced to stop an evil plot developed by the Cardinal Richelieu to disgrace the queen, as well as retrieve the queen’s 12 diamond studs in time for the royal ball.
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10/13, 6:50pm
Nintendo said due to use next Tegra chip
Nintendo's next-generation DS may be powerful enough to rival the current iPod touch in terms of power if a purported source is accurate. Contacts at BSN say NVIDIA has won a contract with Nintendo to use a variant of the Tegra chipset in a future handheld. Which model would be used is unknown, but it's still expected to be a single-chip design and may be a second-generation Tegra rather than the existing component.
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10/12, 3:50pm
BFG intros Deimos gaming portable
BFG on Monday ventured into mobile computing for the first time with the Deimos, an 18.4-inch desktop replacement notebook meant for gamers. Like the Phobos desktop, video performance is the centerpiece and always has at least dual GeForce GTS 260M graphics; top-end models have twin GeForce GTX 280M chipsets. Unusually, none of the systems use Core i7, capping off at a 2.53GHz Core 2 Extreme, but in return they all have at least two RAID-striped hard drives with the option of a third drive for either a backup or to make 1.5TB of combined space.
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10/09, 6:20pm
New X Universe game adds new ships, weapons
Virtual Programming has launched X3: Terran Contact, a space exploration game in the X Universe series. Players can choose from a number of unique characters and plotlines. The virtual world, set in the year 2938, features multiple races of beings, wealth accumulation, spaceship building and solar system exploration.
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10/09, 6:15pm
Countless Sudoku puzzles to choose from
Swoop Software has announced Kitty Spangles Sudoku, a new game for Mac OS X that adds a unique style to the standard Sudoku puzzle game. It features a variety of animated themes that users can switch through, four different difficulty settings to try, and an endless amount of different Sudoku puzzles. The game comes with a built-in puzzle editor which enables players to design and create their own Sudoku board, or to copy a puzzle into the game from either a newspaper, book or website.
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10/08, 5:50pm
Game features historically accurate works
Coladia says it has released a new adventure game, The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript. The game centers around the life and works of Leonardo Da Vinci, as seen through an apprentice named Valdo, who is charged with finding missing codices and must search his master's estate for clues.
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10/08, 5:35pm
Developer lets players choose their own price
Charlie's Games has released Bullet Candy Perfect for the Mac. The title is a 3D space shooter, based on 2006's original Bullet Candy. It features 20 achievements to work toward, in addition to scoring ranked against a global board.
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10/08, 5:10pm
Limited to touch input
After having earlier teased the title, EA Mobile is now sharing more details on the gameplay in Rock Band iPhone. The game's multiplayer mode allows sending out invitations through Facebook Connect, and as in the console series, players can assume responsibility for vocals, drums, bass or lead guitar. Vocals are not sung into a mic, but rather tapped out like any other instrument.
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10/08, 9:25am
On display at CTIA
A new iteration of Harmonix's Rock Band series is coming to the iPhone and iPod touch, EA Mobile has confirmed. The title is mentioned in a looping video presentation at this week's CTIA expo, which offers virtually no gameplay details. It does appear to be based on the regular Rock Band games, rather than the recently-released The Beatles: Rock Band.
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10/08, 9:20am
PSP sales triple, PSN downloads double
The launch of the PSP Go last week shot Sony's total PSP hardware sales up 300 percent in the US, according to the company's local communications director Patrick Seybold. He wouldn't break down the ratio of the new PSPs versus the old, UMD-supporting PSP-3000 but told Gamasutra that it was evidence of "strong" interest in the handheld system as a whole, not just the new model, over the first few days. The PSP-3000 is normally $200 in a bundle with one or more games and is widely assumed to be the backup choice for those who consider the $250 PSP Go too expensive or limited by its download-only catalog.
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10/06, 12:00pm
Should also increasing 3D graphics support
Developer VMware has announced the upcoming release of Fusion 3, the next major iteration of its Mac virtualization software. The program lets users run Windows apps from within Mac OS X, eliminating the need to boot into a separate session. Version 3 is designed around Snow Leopard, and uses a new 64-bit engine, which not only increases multicore performance but better supports Windows 7.
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10/05, 8:50pm
802.11g model expected to see price drop
Confirming earlier reports, Microsoft's upcoming 802.11n adapter for the Xbox 360 has landed in GameStop's inventory for $99. The accessory integrates dual antennas designed to maintain faster data speeds, while the improved performance should enable users to stream 1080p videos available through the new Zune movie service.
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10/05, 10:30am
MSI GT740 gaming notebook gets Windows 7, Core i7
MSI on Monday said it will soon follow up its first quad-core Core i7 powered notebook, the 15.4-inch GT640, with the larger 17-inch GT740 gaming notebook. Like the smaller PC, this new one will also ship with Windows 7. Another shared feature is the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M 3D graphics chipset, which should give it added performance beyond just the faster Intel processor.
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10/02, 3:10pm
Includes infinite, randomly-generated maps
Developer baKno has launched a new racing game, Island Racer. The title is described as for casual audiences, but with solo, AI and online racing modes. It uses randomly-generated tracks with on- and off-road options, as well as a variety of cars and car colors.
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10/01, 10:30pm
Snake Warriors game coming to Mac
Crystal Games has announced Snake Warriors, a new action and role-playing game for the Mac. Snake Warriors has players take control of a young Snakemaster names Rahan and his large snake Kijani, as they set off on an adventure to destroy the evil Snakemaster Wakuan who has started a revolution against the King. When doing battle players take control of Kijani the snake, and fight with other snakes while navigating around a map and collecting various items to either increase their health or do more damage to the opponent. Players can use a series of bite or spell attacks in order to defeat their enemy.
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10/01, 3:00pm
MSI intros GT640 gaming notebook with Core i7
Taiwanese PC maker MSI has recently announced a new addition to its G Series of gaming notebooks with the 15.4-inch GT640. It ships with Intel's mobile quad-core Core i7 processor, though which models aren't known. The portable represents one of MSI's first Windows 7 systems and will have relatively quick visuals through a GeForce GTS 250M for graphics. Hard drives can be had in 250GB, 320GB or 500GB capacities, but MSI only promises up to 4GB of RAM.
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10/01, 10:25am
Sony updates PSP to 6.10 firmware
In sync with today's launch of the PSP Go, Sony today launched its version 6.10 firmware update. The patch gives all PSPs a new SensMe feature which, much like most Walkman players, sorts music by an automatically generated mood or genre, such as "extreme" or "dance." In a special twist for PSPs, though, SensMe can use the clock to set the mood by the particular time of day. The interface is also much more visual with large album art and a pseudo-3D interface.
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09/30, 11:45am
Release slated for November
Tycoon Games has announced it is beginning development on a sequel to Heileen. The game picks up directly after the end of the first game taking place on a mysterious Caribbean island where Heileen was shipwrecked with her friends. Heileen soon discovers a deck of tarot cards representative of the seven deadly sins and the seven heavenly virtues. The cards have the power to change both her dreams and her reality.
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09/30, 11:00am
Eye Glasses, Fairy Trails come to iPhone
Freeverse has released two new apps for the iPhone and iPod touch, Eye Glasses and Fairy Trails. Eye Glasses is designed to work with the iPhone 3G or 3GS, and turns the mobile device into a magnifying glass. The app uses the iPhone’s auto-focusing camera to display text or imagery in 2x, 4x, 6x, or 8x magnification. In order to use the feature simple activate the app while holding the mobile phone roughly five inches away from the area that needs to be magnified, the large print will then show up on the iPhone’s display screen for easier viewing.
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09/30, 10:45am
SanDisk boosts gaming system storage capacities
SanDisk on Wednesday announced it has released memory cards meant specifically for portable gaming systems such as Sony's PSP Go and PSP as well as the Nintendo DSi. All significantly boost the storage capacity of said systems, with the PSP Go's capacity doubled by the new 16GB Memory Stick Micro M2 card. There is a 32GB Memory Stick PRO Duo and a Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo of the same capacity for the PSP from Sony, while the DSi gets an 8GB SDHC card.
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