PSP Firmware Unlocks 333Mhz Processor Speed
The newest PSP firmware (version 3.50) unlocks a new processor speed of 333Mhz. Current games that are already out for the PlayStation Portable will not run at the new speed, but now developers have access to the new processor speed for upcoming games in development. The original processor speed was 266 Mhz. The new processor speed may use up more battery power, so beware.
Posted on 6/22/07 by: Brian
Time Crisis 4 'Next Level' Trailer
Namco released a Time Crisis 4 trailer. Time Crisis 4 has already been released for the Namco System Super 256 arcade machine, and will also be released for the PlayStation 3. The game is scheduled to release on November 13, 2007.
To view the downloadable links and HD 720p version of this video, click here.
Posted on 6/18/07 by: Brian
Harvest Moon Wii
Unlike other Harvest Moon games, in Harvest Moon Wii you do not start off on a farm. You sail to Waffle Island and spend your first three days getting to know the villagers through a great amount of active chatting.
There is a tools tutorial on the second day in which you take up a part-time job at the local produce shop to help with light farm work. You move around with the nunchuck's analog stick and can access your inventory by pressing its C button. The Z button helps you position your character to pull weeds, water plants, or pick vegetables. To perform those actions, the game gives you the option of using motion controls or simply using the A button on the wiimote. Due to the fact that motion controls are not necessary, the classic controller can be used instead of the wiimote and nunchuck setup.
Everytime you perform an action you lose energy, and if your energy is fully depleted, you will find yourself in the hospital. The energy meter is displayed at the bottom right corner of the screen. As you play the game your character will get stronger in that he/she will not get tired as easily.
On the fourth day the mayor lets you choose the location for your very own plot of land. Thus, it is here, on Waffle Island, that you will work hard to build a prosperous farm because the town's Spirit Goddess is in trouble, and as a result, the Tranquility Tree has been withering away. It is up to you to save the Island!
Harvest Moon Wii also features minigames, which you unlock in the story mode. The minigames allow for up to four players. So if you like farming, along with minigames on the side, then there is plenty to look forward to in this package. Harvest Moon Wii is set to release on November 5th, 2007.
Posted on 6/17/07 by: Dave
Halo For DS
Matt Casamassina from IGN says that Halo for DS is a real game. A while back on January 4, 2007, Matt blogged about how he actually played a leaked version of Halo on a Nintendo DS Lite. He said that it was simular to Metroid Prime Hunters except with a Halo facelift. Now on the Wii-k in Review Podcast, Matt Casamassina brings up the subject again saying that it is a real game.
I Played Halo on DS:
"I had the opportunity to run through the beginning beach area and noted while playing that it looked like Xbox Halo except on DS, it was running fast, and the control was responsive. The trademark Halo music even played out of the tiny speakers of Nintendo's handheld."
Wii-k in Review Podcast: 06/15/07:
"It's a real game, we're going to lay down some ownage next week or soon afterward by showing you guys that it is a real game."
Links to Matt's blog post and the Wii-k in Review Podcast are here.
Posted on 6/16/07 by: Brian
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground Trailer
Neversoft released a Tony Hawk's Proving Ground trailer. Tony Hawk's Proving Ground will be released for every current console including the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP, and PlayStation 2. The game is scheduled to release some time in October 2007 for the US.
To view the downloadable links and HD 720p version of this video, click here.
Posted on 6/15/07 by: Brian
Half-Life 2: Episode Two Release Date
Valve confirms Half-Life 2: Episode Two, and Team Fortress 2's release date. The games will ship to the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 on 10/9/07.
Valve Confirms Episode Two, Team Fortress 2 Launch Date:
"Electronic Arts is distributing the games at retail as a package entitled Half-Life 2: The Orange Box, which also includes the original Half-Life 2 and last year's Half-Life 2: Episode One. It will sell for $49.99 on PC and $59.99 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Previously, the company intended to sell a slimmer package, The Black Box, which would not include Half-Life 2 or Half-Life 2: Episode One, but those plans were cancelled last month. It is expected that Steam customers will retain the option to purchase only the newly-released games."
Posted on 6/15/07 by: Brian
Starcraft 2 Gameplay
Blizzard leaked new Starcraft 2 Gameplay. Starcraft 2 will be available for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X some time in 2008.
To view the downloadable links and HD 720p version of this video, click here.
Posted on 6/14/07 by: Brian
New 1.81 Firmware For PlayStation 3
PlayStation.Blog says there will be a new firmware available for the PlayStation 3 on 6/15/07. Apparently Sony fixed some issues with HDMI RGB Full settings and compatibility support for PlayStation 2 games.
PS3 Firmware Upgrade 1.81 Coming Tomorrow:
"Just a quick update: we'll be making available firmware upgrade 1.81 tomorrow which will fix a few small issues some of you have noticed. Most notably is the RGB Full setting which a few of you wrote in about. In 1.80 we added an option to the XMB under settings allowing you to choose between RGB Full and Limited. Basically if you are connecting your PS3 to your TV using an HDMI cable, and if your TV supports RGB full range, the picture quality may be improved when this option is set to Full. Some of you pointed out that the Full setting would sometimes revert back to Limited and 1.81 will address this issue. Please keep in mind that this setting is only effective when the PS3 is connected to a TV using an HDMI cable. You can download the update tomorrow from PlayStation.com or through your System Update option on the PS3 XMB."
"We're continually evaluating and improving PS2 software compatibility too. Where we can, we'll look to share similar updates like this on our blog moving forward. Thanks for your ongoing feedback and support!"
Posted on 6/14/07 by: Brian
Microsoft Improves Xbox 360 Cooling
Xbox 360's are notorious for inadequate cooling methods and now Microsoft is finally adding heat sinks. Since Microsoft released the Xbox 360 in November of 2005, there has been more over-heating incidents than any other console to date. It is unclear if Microsoft is adding the heat sinks to the production line or if they are just putting them in for Xbox 360's needed for repair.
Posted on 6/14/07 by: Brian
Gears of War Title Update
Epic Games released 8 new achievements for the Annex gametype worth 250 points. The developers also released the Hidden Fronts Multiplayer Map Pack on Xbox Live.
Achievement Details:
| Name | Description | Value |
| THIS! IS! ANNEX! | Complete 100 multiplayer matches of 3+ rounds in Annex and capture 3 objectives in each match | 40 |
| Inconceivable! | Win 20 rounds of multiplayer matches in Annex by fewer than 5 points | 30 |
| Nub Pwn3r | Win 20 rounds of multiplayer matches in Annex by shutting out the opposing team | 30 |
| You Down With E.P.I.C? | Win a multiplayer match of 3+ rounds in any game type on 6 different downloadable maps | 30 |
| Green Thumb | Win 20 multiplayer matches of 3+ rounds in any game type on the Garden multiplayer map | 30 |
| Mind the Gap | Win 20 multiplayer matches of 3+ rounds in any game type on the Subway multiplayer map | 30 |
| All That Juice | Win 20 multiplayer matches of 3+ rounds in any game type on the Process multiplayer map | 30 |
| Purdy Mouth | Win 20 multiplayer matches of 3+ rounds in any game type on the Bullet Marsh multiplayer map | 30 |
Release Notes:
• Improved Roadie Run to reduce getting snagged on cover
• Tweaked up the amount of damage done by the Lancer Assault Rifle in multiplayer
• Fixed split-screen players interrupting the other player's actions when they die
• Stopped Annex scoring whenever a (Connection Error) dialog box is displayed
• Reduced the duration that corpses remain visible when hosting an Annex match
• Reduced the range of possible Annex bleed-out times selectable by host
• Addressed a number of multiplayer exploits
• Addressed other general housekeeping
Posted on 6/14/07 by: Brian
Halo 3 Beta Stats
Although the Halo 3 Beta was only around for 25 days, we find the stats extremely impressive. Bungie's Halo 3 Beta clocked in 820,000 unique users, 12,000,000 hours of gameplay, and 367,001,600 megabytes of data downloaded. Users saved over 580,000 replays with 2,831,155.2 megabytes of data. Microsoft and Bungie plan to use the stats for improving the full game which will be released 7/25/07.
Posted on 6/13/07 by: Brian
Update: America's Army: True Soldiers 360
Red Storm is bringing America's Army: True Soldiers exclusively to the Xbox 360 in September 2007. The same developers that created Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, are the same people that are working on America's Army: True Soldiers. True Soldiers will be running off of the GRAW 2 engine and will utilize the Xbox Live service. The developers intend to make the game's missions as close as possible to today's missions.
Update (6/13/07):
Ubisoft has told Eurogamer that America's Army: True Soldiers will be a US exclusive. Ubisoft wasn't clear on the reason behind this, but maybe something to do with it is because it's an American Army Sponsored game?
America's Army US-only:
"Instead, the Xbox 360 game will be heading exclusively to the US in September. It's a similar situation to last year, when the PS2 Army game, Rise of a Soldier, quietly disappeared from the European release schedule."
Posted on 6/13/07 by: Brian
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Call of Duty 4 will be the first realistic modern combat game of the series. This means no more world war two scenarios like all the other Call of Duty games. Battlefield 2 brought us from the dense jungles of Vietnam to the middle east; and now the Call of Duty franchise is putting us in the middle of modern combat. Infinity Ward is working hard to make this the most realistic Call of Duty to date by getting research on modern weapons, vehicles, and uniforms. They even brought in a military advisor to overview the project.
Since this will be a modern war, the developers had to come up with a modern storyline. Since they wanted to avoid the conflict in Iraq, developers created a storyline of their own, which will feature a Russian ultra-nationalist working with other leaders of evil forces around the world to bring back Russia to it's glory days.
In the new multiplayer, you will get to customize your soldier by giving him different weapons and abilities. There will also be an experience bar, and as you level up you can get promotions and such. Multiplayer modes will include Deathmatch, Free For All, Capture the Flag, Search and Destroy, and others. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will be released for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.
Posted on 6/13/07 by: Dave
Nyko Elite Accessories
Nyko has re-released 2 new accessories for the Xbox 360 Elite. Nyko has made a black Intercooler EX and a black Charge Station to match the Xbox 360 Elite model's colors. The new Intercooler EX costs $19.99 and the new Charge Station costs $29.99 on Nyko's online store.
Posted on 6/13/07 by: Brian
MOTO GP 07 PS2
Capcom confirmed that MOTO GP 07 is being developed for the PlayStation 2. MOTO GP 07 is being developed by Milestone, and is scheduled to release in Q3 of 2007.
MOTO GP 07 will include:
• Real riders, bikes, and all 18 official tracks.
• Includes Championship, Quick race, Time Attack, Challenges, Multiplayer Modes.
• Variable skill-set and style.
• Variable weather effects.
• Accurate physics based on real data.
• Accurate sound-effects recorded from MOTO GP bikes.
More features will be announced later this year.
CAPCOM ANNOUNCES DEVELOPER AND GAMEPLAY DETAILS FOR MOTO GP 07 FOR PLAYSTATION 2 SYSTEM:
"As an officially licensed MotoGP title, MotoGP 07 for the PlayStation 2 system will feature all the riders, bikes, teams and tracks from the 2007 season. Players can faithfully re-create the excitement and passion of the sport and experience the rivalries and competition synonymous with the world's premier motorcycling championship, as they ride for glory. Compete in a full season, create your own customised season, or select a one-off race either on your own or against a friend."
"Features such as riding aids will provide newcomers to the series with the confidence to push their bikes to the limit. Experienced players will have the option to independently control front and rear brakes as well as the rider's position, making them feel at one with their bike as they enter and exit the tightest of hairpins inches from the tarmac, before stepping on the gas to reach speeds of well over 200mph/320kph. Plus players can also adjust the AI of their race opponents, modifying speed and ability to match their own riding level and create a more balanced race."
"Featuring a comprehensive set of 100 trials, each available at three difficulty levels, MotoGP 07's Challenge Mode will test and hone players' skills. Events include slalom challenges where players handling abilities are put to the test as they navigate a series of gates placed the length of the circuit and time trials which challenge players to beat the lap record for each circuit."
Posted on 6/12/07 by: Brian
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