Friday, November 2, 2007
Join the Super Mario Flight Team
11:58PM Brian Crecente | Nintendo didn’t send me Super Mario Galaxy yet, but they did send me this sweet patch. I have no idea what I’m supposed to sew it to, but it’s pretty damn neat. Too bad I don’t have a jumpsuit. This looks like a perfect item for giving away at the fund raiser next month. More »
US and Japanese Cell Phonese Aren’t THAT Different
11:40PM Brian Ashcraft | To: Crecente From: Bash Whew! Today, I spent a good chunk of time at the immigration office, trying to get my permanent resident visa. Hafta go back on Monday. Fun fun fun! On the way back, I bought a new cell phone. Yes. Finally. Meaning that next year at TGS, I should have a cell phone (unless I accidently leave this one in my jeans and put in the washing machine like the last one). And I bought a foreign cell phone. It was only like $US 40 with the current plan I have. This is the first non-Japanese phone I’ve own in a long, long time. Differences between this American phone and the Japanese phones? Not much, really! The Japanese phones have really big, beautiful screens. My new phone doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that the Japanese phones do — meaning that I can’t put electronic money on it or watch digital 1seg TV broadcasts with it. But that’s about it, really! It even does things like read QR codes, which I don’t think American cell phones in America can do because I don’t think there are QR codes. I really wanted an iPhone. Like pretty bad. But, meh, I’ll get their second or third generation one. What you missed last night Sony management issues? Our amazing contest Omega Five exclusive? Jamzy writes us a note Nintendo downplays new DS More »
Star Ocean Sails Special Edition PSP
11:00PM Brian Ashcraft | Square Enix is there whenever you need sequels or branded goods, and this time the company is back with Star Ocean: First Departure and a Star Ocean branded PSP Slim & Lite. Both will be bundled in a special First Departure Eternal Edition pack on sale December 27th for ¥24,849 ($US 216). Sure, it’s gonna sell big an all, but what we really like is the PSP pouch. It looks like a space blanket! That, after the jump. More »
Pac-Gentleman
10:20PM Luke Plunkett | We’re quite partial to a nice gaming toy/paperweight here at the Tower. This one, however, goes a little beyond nice. It’s wonderful. Exquisite, even. It’s Doktor A’s “The Secret History of Video Games: Pac Gentleman”, which he describes thusly: When this game was first released in 1880 it was so hugely popular in taverns and inns that the bank of England was forced to mint more threepenny bits to keep up with demand. The game was created by messrs Nam & Nam and Co. as a novelty pastime for the masses. Outdoing the previous top public house game of Shove Ha’penny. Hrm, indeed, quite, hrmm, yes. More pics after the link. Doktor A – Spit & Polish Custom Toy Extravaganza [UR Lifestyle] More »No More Heroes Gets Short with Us
10:00PM Brian Ashcraft | As far as game creators go, Suda51 is damn cool. And as far as Wii games go, his upcoming No More Heroes. A couple new way-too-short clips have popped up on the internets, reminding of one thing and one thing only: We are excited about No More Heroes. More »
Cute Virtual Idol Sings Portal Song
9:30PM Luke Plunkett | Isn’t super-cute “virtual idol” Miku Hatsune super-cute? She’s totally cute. Also totally creepy! But not when she’s singing Portal’s “Still Alive” in almost unintelligible Engrish. That’s mostly cute, with only a dash of creepy. [thanks houkoholic!] More »
New $US 99 PS2 Model To Debut In 2008
9:05PM Luke Plunkett | Expect a new PS2 model to hit the US in 2008. Expect it to cost $US 99, and expect it to sell like hotcakes. That’s the news coming out of British trade site MCV, who are also saying the new “compact” model will be internally-powered (ie no external power brick), allowing Sony to cut manufacturing costs and thus save a bit of cash. It would also allow the console to use up to 25% less power. Wonderful! Oh, before you go, bear in mind that while MCV aren’t normally the types to grind grain in the rumour mill, this is unconfirmed by Sony, so don’t go freaking out on us just yet. New low-price ‘compact’ PS2 to arrive in 2008 [MCV] More »
Does Microsoft’s One, Two, Three Punch Matter?
9:00PM Brian Ashcraft | The last two days in Japan: a cheaper Xbox 360 goes on sale, a discounted THE iDOLM@STER goes on sale, and today, Ace Combat 6 goes on sale. For a console that didn’t appeal to Japanese gamers, there seems to be a lot appealing about it of late: THE iDOLM@STER has a rabid hardcore fan base, while AC6 has an across-the-board built-in audience. Releasing them bang bang, right after each other, is aggressive on Microsoft’s part. Do we think that these titles will hurt the PlayStation 3 in Japan? No. The PlayStation brand is way too strong. But do we think these titles will help sales? Definitely. Who knows—maybe this week, Microsoft might move five thousand Xbox 360s—six thousand maybe! The sky’s the limit. Well, not really, but still. Ace Combat 6 [AkibaOS] More »
Europe, Here’s Some Upcoming PSN Downloads
8:30PM Luke Plunkett | SCEE have announced a bunch of stuff Europeans can expect to see in their PlayStation Store over the next couple of months. Which is awfully nice of them, saves all that suspense and the associated gnashing of teeth. Highlights for November (aside from today’s very excellent Tori Emaki) will include a big MotorStorm DLC pack, nine PS1 games (G-Police!), Toy Home, the Uncharted demo and some Resistance maps. As for December, well, you’ll FINALLY get Everyday Shooter, a Warhawk expansion pack and some more MotorStorm vehicles. Full list (bear in mind, December is incomplete) is after the click. More »
