Gaming Blog

Come September, the newly announced PLAYSTATION(R)3 80GB model will become the mainstay of the Sony’s gaming hardware line-up. Retailing for $399, the model will offer all the features and functionality of the 40GB model with double the storage to accommodate more movies, graphics, music, photos and other entertainment content and will be a complete entertainment system comprising of a Blu-ray(TM) player, HDMI output, an integrated Wi-Fi connection, Cell Broadband Engine(TM) and a built-in 80GB hard-disk drive.

With Activision’s “Guitar Hero” turning the music-playing genre into the hottest category for video games, Nintendo have decided to take a giant leap of faith with plans for a game called “Wii Music” that will let players simulate more than 60 different instruments. The video game is expected to feature previous Wii favs as well as new additions like “Wii Speak,” a group microphone that works with its Wii game console and can be used for online games.

If having a handheld NES in an NES cartridge wasn’t enough, a modder ‘G-Force’ has fit a famiclone into an NES controller. You can not only play the 70 built-in pirated games on the famiclone (a Super Joy III) but also access your old NES titles and continue to play them. The highlight of this mod is the 2-player version of tetris and a level select hacked Contra. You can use the cartridge connector at the back to access all the old NES games and disabling the power switch disables the built-in games. The Nintendo logo is backlit and looks rather cool and if this ever goes into production, it sure will be a sell-out.

Via: OhGizmo

Eidos has announced that Tomb Raider Underworld will be launched in Europe on the 21st of November. the US release is set 3 days earlier (18th November). The 8th game in the Tomb Raider series is set of a very large platform release. The platforms include Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PC, DS and PS2. I guess the stress of wondering when it comes out is over. Now we hope Eidos sticks to their stated deadline. An Eidos spokesman was able to say that the game will be up to par and standards expected by gamers. He was quoted saying,

The game will not slip

Just to remind you about the game, it basically will resume the adventure from where Tomb Raider: Legend left off and address elements of the plot left unexplained in Legend and Tomb Raider: Anniversary, which are Crystal Dynamics’ previous games in the series.

Image

via: Eurogamer

The world became a different place when it was announced that Final Fantasy XIII would be released on the Xbox 360. This surprise came at the end of Microsoft’s presentation at the E3 convention, when Square Enix’s president Yoichi Wada made the shocking announcement. He also went to to show a trailer of the game (which was used for the PS3 launch as well).

However, don’t get your hopes up just yet. The game is being produced for the PS3 console for release in Japan first before work begins on the Xbox counterpart. On the flip side, it will be released simultaneously in the US and European regions on both the PS3 and Xbox 360.

From what I have gathered, this is a really earth shattering event in the PS3 and Xbox 360 world, mainly because no one expected such a thing to happen. Sony claimed the game was going to be PS3 exclusive, but it turned out that the Xbox 360 will be seeing it as well.

via: 1UP

Logitech has announced the future release of its new steering wheel called the Logitech Driving Force GT for the PS2 and PS3. Unlike a regular, hardcore steering wheel; this one is more on the amatuer side as it basically rests upon your lap instead of being clamped onto a table or stand. It was not made to simulate the all-out driving experience, but is still very cool because there are no cables whatsoever, so you can have fun driving with a wheel without having to cram your face into the screen.

Wii has been a great success in gaming market, beating way more powerful gaming consoles ‘XBox 360 and PS3′, thanks to accelerometer found in its controllers. And if Nintendo thinks that doubling the numbers of accelerometers will double the fun, then they surely do have a plan to make it possible. Nintendo has announced the Wii MotionPlus, a new Wii add-on. Wii MotionPlus’ got an additional accelerometer for providing precise motion sensing.

Nintendo says that Wii MotionPlus is a revolutionary accessory for Wii Remote that will make controlling games even better. Wii MotionPlus can be attached to the bottom of your existing WiiMote to provide a greater precision level. It is said to be capable of reading slightest movement of your arm and wrist and can render it in real time on the screen. Nintendo is soon going to reveal more details about it on Tuesday at E3 media briefing. Thus there’s a chance of new games being announced that will exploit the added accelerometer.

Via: boingboing

Xbox 360 is all set to receive a total software overhaul come fall and Microsoft has announced that the changes will include an entirely 3D slide interface for the main Dashboard screen as well as fancy new Mii-like 3D Avatars, a new emphasis on community with IM, video chat, and photo sharing. Other features will allow users to create a “Live party” and invite as many as 8 of your friends to hang out in the 3D.

A new in-depth flash game was released last week that puts a whole new perspective on the role and purpose of flash games. The Continuum is not a normal flash game, it is designed to bring players, hardcore gamers, the in-depth game we most look for, not that twenty to thirty minute game that most flash games are. Mainly what you do is build up a deck, in this neat turn based strat, and the cards have special abilities or attributes which can help you win against your opponent. You are able to buy the virtual decks, but the CEO of the company Seven Lights, the makers, said that buying a whole bunch of cards isn’t necessarily going to help you win your game. Buying all of them will just give you more choices to pick from.

After Activision and Blizzard merged, they seem to believe they are invincible by taking on iTunes. Earlier they had an interview and said that they would be creating an online game that would complete directly with iTunes. They would have a store where you could buy music and use a tool they provide to make your own music. You can then swap your music with people around the world. But what really surprises me about this is that since Activision merged with Blizzard, they now have the resources and power to actually compete with iTunes. For example, they now have access to Universal Music, along with payment and processing capabilities in virtually every country. This will enable the company to really give iTunes a run for their money. We shall see what Activision comes up with later this year and determine if they truly have a chance.

Via: 1up