Today? Lovely. Hours ago, the front door rang, and there was a package waiting for me. My Xbox 360 has returned from its convalescence, 22 days later. In that time, I did get to know my PS3 better. Something did come of this mess! The Xbox 360 was even airmailed back to me, and it’s been outfitted with a new guts. Like Crecente, I got an apology note and a free one month Xbox Live Gold membership. Though, my free Gold card doesn’t have Japanese on it — English, Korean and Chinese. What gives, Microsoft?
PSP owners, time for more firmware. We’re up to 3.70 already! They grow up so fast, don’t they? The latest update brings:
- Custom themes - The ability to search through scenes while watching a movie - You can assign buttons in remote play - Movies now support sequential playback - You can both look at photos and listen to music at the same time.
All things which I’m sure you just couldn’t live without previously, and will make this update an absolute must-have.
Some Australian, whether he’s/she’s a warehouse worker, renegade journalist, Microsoft employee or retail affiliate has got themselves a copy of Halo 3. Which, as you can see from the above photo, they’ve unwrapped and taken photos of…down at the local pub. Then sold on eBay for the tidy sum of AUD$149 (USD$123). Outrageous? Hardly. The game’s out in less than a fortnight, there must be millions of these sitting in boxes, in warehouses, across the planet. This was bound to happen sooner or later. Plus, if the contents of this disc don’t end up online in some way, shape or form I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. HALO 3 – the real deal. AVAILABLE NOW! PAL [eBay, thanks everyone]
On the fence regarding Warhawk? Can’t decide whether to pony up and buy the thing or wait for a demo so you can sample it first? Sorry. You might be waiting a while. Like, forever. SCEA have told Gamedaily: Warhawk was designed to support up to 32-players online simultaneously. In a demo version of a multiplayer only game, there is little control over how many players will be on a dedicated server at a time, potentially leading to smaller online battles that do not fully do justice to the title’s fast combat and frantic play.
That’s a definite no, then. When Can We Expect a Warhawk Demo? [Gamedaily.biz]
First this, now this: The Bandai Namco Games US page lists Beautiful Katamari as a PS3 title and a Wii title. Previously, the game was supposedly a multi-platform title, but then the PS3 version was apparently abandoned due to porting issues and sluggish PS3 sales. Since this past spring, there has been rumblings of a Wii version, and the game’s designer confirmed it was under consideration. Still, Beautiful Katamari was then announced as an Xbox 360 exclusive, and the released box art even carries the “Only on Xbox 360.” According to Bandai Namco’s site, the PS3 game’s release date is TBA as is the Wii one (Xbox 360 should be out in October). Does that mean “Only on Xbox 360″ is totally meaningless? If this is true, guess so! Katamari Listed as PS3 Game [BNG, Thanks Kotakuland! Send tips next time, you bastards :)]
Tomorrow, Microsoft is having a pre-TGS press conference. The briefing will feature new trailers and a few surprises. I’ll be on the ground covering the event. What can we expect? Rumour has it that third party companies like Square Enix, Bandai Namco, Koei, Konami and Tecmo will be showing their Xbox 360 support. Here’s what will apparently be shown:Square Enix The Last Remnant New Xbox 360 exclusive
Bandai Namco Beautiful Katamari Damacy Ace Combat 6 New Xbox 360 title
Koei Shin Sangoku Musou 5 Blade Storm New Xbox 360 title
Micrsoft Game Studios Lost Odyssey Halo 3 Project Gotham Racing 4 Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom New RPG (may be shown only at TGS) Games from Takara Tomy, Arc Systems, Success, Idea Factory
Konami Xbox Live Arcade games Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
Check back tomorrow for our coverage. If this info is true, wonder what that new RPG is… Microsoft Presser [GameFront via Gamers-Creed]
OK, Microsoft, you got us. A teaser trailer that’s actually teasing? Novel! Also effective, as so many have been confirming by sounding off on what they think “Brutally Fun” could be. Here’s another possibility, one with some meat on its bone: it’s Double-Fine’s “rumoured” Brutal Legend, starring Jack Black as a roadie trying to get to rock’n'roll heaven. IGN have done a little patent-scrounging and see that Double Fine registered the trademark for the name Brutal Legend on August 10. You’d certainly expect a Tim Schafer title to be fun, and a new Double Fine release would be worth crowing about. Plus, you know. It’s got the word “brutal” in it. Brutal Legend Reality? [IGN]
Oh Bandai Namco. You’re such fibbers! It was only a month ago that you were saying you were “not aware” of a PS3 version of Eternal Sonata. Not aware? Someone is, because the game’s official listing on the company’s site now has it listed as a PlayStation 3 game. No release date, but it’s right there under “platforms”. PlayStation 3. Could be a typo, but then, we’re only a week and a bit away from TGS. Could also be announced there. Eternal Sonata [Bandai Namco, thanks Ryan!]
I like Tingle. Funny guy. He’s a very different, very…unique character. A lot of Americans, though…they hate. Hate Tingle! Whether through rampant homophobia or just differing tastes on what makes a good incidental Zelda character, we’ll never know. What we do know, now, is that there are more Tingle games coming. So many Nintendo are kicking Tingle up to fully-fledged main character status. Kensuke Tanabe: I heard from EAD that they decided not to use Tingle after Wind Waker because Tingle was unpopular, especially in the US. As a matter of fact, he did not actually appear in Twilight Princess. You may want to ask Mr. Aonuma about the future plan!
As for our team, SPD3 (Software Planning & Development Department, Production Group No.3), we have just started on our making-Tingle-a-main-character-project. In the works we produce, he will continue to move in his own direction.
See where your hate got you? It got you a whole load of new Tingle games. How you like them apples! Tingle Watches You Sleep [N-Europe]
TGS mania continues! Here, we’ve got Hudson’s list of its Tokyo Games Show games. Hooray! They are: Wii Deca Sporta
Nintendo DS Dungeon Explorer: Jashin no Ryouiki Elemental Monster Gachapin Nikki DS
PSP Dungeon Explorer: Meiyaku no Tobira
There is one more game that Hudson will announce at TGS. Bring on the new Bonk game. Make it happen, Hudson! Hudson List [Siliconera]