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May 15, 2006
Shiny New Hardware
Now that E3 is over and all participants have played their cards (most of them at least), one question remains - What do you think of the final hardware? Since we all know what an Xbox 360 looks like, lets take a looksie at the remaining players, Sony and Nintendo.
Here's the PS3. I've criticized its design in the past and after seeing it in person, I haven't completely changed my mind, but I can accept it now. One thing you will have to admit tho is the system is def. sleek, sexy, and an evolution of the PS2. The chrome accents on the 60 gig model make it look SUPER EXPENSIVE. Sony's industrial design is good at doing that. How would it look in your home?
Its defining tech are blu-ray, CELL processor, wi-fi, bluetooth, online, and a revised wireless Dual Shock controller who has gained tilt functionality in lieu of the rumble feature. $499 for the 20 gig model, $599 for the 60 gig model. Do you love it yet?
Next up, we have Nintendo Wii. Ever since Nintendo revealed the console last year, little about the hardware has changed. The system is extremely small and very sleek. Clearly Nintendo wants out of its kiddie image and is determined to make a home amongst your other high end audio and video goodies.
It's defining tech are a slot load drive that can accept both full size dvd's and the Gamecube's 8 cm discs (Apple must be jealous). The Wii-mote and Nunchaku made a huge impression at E3 demonstrating how freehand control could possibly be the future of gaming and yes they are wireless. The build quality is EXCEPTIONAL and far surpasses that of Sony (yes I said it!). I don't know what kind of plastic Nintendo is using but it not only feels good, it looks good too. Nintendo also revealed the classic controller with your standard 4 action buttons, d-pad, trigger buttons, and 2 analog sticks. As its name suggests, it's designed for Nintendo's Virtual console service - yes all those classic games from Nintendo, Sega, and Turbo-Grafix 16 will utilize this controller. No official price announcements yet but speculations are somewhere in the $150 - $250 range. Do you love it yet?
Posted by tranism at 2:30 AM | Permalink
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May 13, 2006
Duck Hunt is Back
This is the only time I can endorse killing ducks, that is if you do it virtually and do it with Nintendo's Wii-mote.
Gamers were treated to a surprise when they visited the Nintendo booth at E3. The new zapper was revealed along with SURPRISE SURPRISE, Dunk Hunt 2. The Ninty reps wouldn't confirm if it was an actual game in development or just a demo. I call demo on this one because they forgot about the dog!
Posted by tranism at 3:43 PM | Permalink
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Stampede Towards Nintendo
It was bound to happen. Sony and Nintendo had their booths right across from one another. The Playstation 3 was certainly impressive with games like Sonic, Heavenly Sword, and the AWESOME Virtual Tennis. But Nintendo came out swinging with a new Mario game, new Smash Bros, and a slurry of sports titles designed to really take advantage of their unique controller.
Is this a telling sign of things to come from the console wars? Click on the image to play the video. The bright blue corner on the right is Nintendo's booth showing off their Wii. The dark black corner on the left is Sony with the awesome power of Playstation 3.
The best part of the video is the end when floor execs. from Sony's empty booth emerge dumbfounded.
via kotaku
Posted by tranism at 3:11 PM | Permalink
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May 11, 2006
Super Smash Bros Brawl
OH MY F*CKIN' GOD!!! With Kid Icarus and Snake (two of my favorite game characters) joining the mayhem, how could it possibly get any better???
They only recently started work on the game so it won't be available until 2007. That gives them plenty of time to polish it up. Nintendo even admits to the possibility of other game mascots coming to the title. Ummm, can anyone say Sonic!!! I want to play with the Wii more than ever now.
Posted by tranism at 12:50 AM | Permalink
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May 10, 2006
GASP & SWOON, Xbox Portable
Writer Dean Takahashi claims to know Microsoft is working on its own portable game machine. In fact, he's so sure, he's written a book about it called Xbox 360 Uncloaked.
In the book, Takahashi says Microsoft has moved nearly half of its team onto this new project in hopes of getting the device on the market halfway thru the Xbox 360's life - to sufficiently bridge the gap between what will then be an aging Xbox 360 and their future game console.
Although the author doesn't reveal who his sources are, he does mention how Microsoft is not content to let Nintendo and Sony rule the portable market.
Very interesting if true. I don't know what to think of a portable Xbox. I'm pretty sure it will have Origami like functions and try to be an all-in-one portable device.
Posted by tranism at 3:33 AM | Permalink
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DIY Mario, Space Invader, Pac-Man
Are you a die hard retro gamer? Do you yearn for the days when games were 2D and only required a joystick and one button? If you are, then you'll love this. Celebrate your mislead youth with these do-it-yourself Mario, Space Invader, and Pac-Man block sets.
Brought to you by HobbyStuffU.com. Only $24.15 each (what an odd price).
Posted by tranism at 2:36 AM | Permalink
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May 7, 2006
Leaked E3 Spore Video
A trailer that seems to have been intended for E3 leaked onto the internet yesterday and it's making its rounds. The video goes thru almost every cycle of the game. Procedural graphics sure are impressive. I'm still amazed and can't wait.
Posted by tranism at 3:19 PM | Permalink
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May 4, 2006
My Nintendo DS Lite
I finally got my DS Lite today. Sorry for the crappy photo. I got the "enamel blue" color. I find myself constantly wiping the fingerprints and smudges off just like I did when I got my PSP. It's funny how much more care I take with it now.
I'm off to E3 next week and I'm def. bringing my DS and PSP incase there are download goodies to be had.
plankton is getting a white DS. Too bad they don't make a hot ass pink one. He would def. get it in that color
Posted by tranism at 2:25 PM | Permalink
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