Newly released at Play Asia



Get back into the swing of things as Donkey Kong goes vertical.

King K. Rool is up to no good again, and it’s up to Donkey Kong to swing into action. Using the same simple control scheme that made the DK: King of Swing Game Boy Advance SP game so accessible and fun to play, players of all skill levels can swing and climb to new heights made possible by the dual screens of Nintendo DS.

Adventure mode features Diddy Kong as a sub-character, and players can look forward to new moves, new items and a bunch of minigames sure to make them go bananas. Not only that, but fun tutorials that ease new players into the game also can be accessed as minigame challenges.

If players are more in the mood to rumble, they can take on up to three pals in fun multiplayer challenges using DS Download Play and the DS Local Area Network. They can pick from Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong or Funky Kong, and let the monkey business begin. ...

New Weekly special offer from Play Asia



There's trouble in the jungle, but Donkey Kong is there to put a good spin on things. Players take control of Donkey Kong and leap through the jungle, grabbing branches to swing around and fling into the air.

The normally quiet jungle is abuzz with excitement today, because it's time for the ceremony to choose the king of the jungle. Or at least it would be if King K. Rool hadn't stolen the special medallion meant for the winner. Donkey Kong and his friends must swing their way through the jungle to get the medallion back and, along the way, do battle with King K. Rool's minions.

We've got yet again another classical Gameboy Advance™ game as our weekly special for your collection. Donkey Kong: King of Swing / Bura Bura Donkey is now available at discounted US$ 10.90 only. ...

New Weekly special offer from Play Asia



There's trouble in the jungle, but Donkey Kong is there to put a good spin on things. Players take control of Donkey Kong and leap through the jungle, grabbing branches to swing around and fling into the air.

The normally quiet jungle is abuzz with excitement today, because it's time for the ceremony to choose the king of the jungle. Or at least it would be if King K. Rool hadn't stolen the special medallion meant for the winner. Donkey Kong and his friends must swing their way through the jungle to get the medallion back and, along the way, do battle with King K. Rool's minions.

We've got yet again another classical Gameboy Advance™ game as our weekly special for your collection. Donkey Kong: King of Swing / Bura Bura Donkey is now available at discounted US$ 10.90 only. ...

News from Play Asia



The Hong Kong Anicom / Gamefair is a relatively small comic, collectible and video game fair compared to international events. But as Hong Kong people are crazy about games and anime, the show attracts about half a million visitors every year and the exhibition hall is incredibly crowded from the first to the last hour of the 5-day event.

One of the biggest attraction of the show (besides the Samsung Game Girl Contest), is the World Cyber Games Hong Kong Preliminary, traditionally held on the Samsung booth.

This year the Hong Kong Preliminary featured competitions for six different games, offering the chance to qualify for the WCG Asian Championship in Singapore and the WCG main event in Dallas.

More Via Link Above ...

via joystiq

Following the super-secret price drop on the Xbox 360 in the States, all eyes turned to Europe as they asked, "Me too?" Nooooooooo, not you too! Well, at least not right now. GI.biz reports that a spokesperson for Microsoft UK said that the announcement was for the US and they "have not announced any pricing changes in Europe."

Oh, buck up Europe. Sony did the same thing last month when they gave the US a price drop too. There is the possibility that Microsoft is saving their announcement for Leipzig, which is only in a couple weeks. Who knows what will be trotted out for Europe, perhaps they'll get a "starter pack" at the console's current price with some added value. ...

via joystiq

Man, going through the airport security process is such a hassle these days. Remove all the metal from your pockets ... take off your shoes ... present your game consoles for inspection. Wait, what was that last one?

Yes, as of Saturday new TSA rules require travelers carrying "full-size electronics," including game consoles, to remove them from carry-on bags for a separate X-ray screening. Portable game systems and other small electronics can stay inside your luggage.

TSA spokesperson Jennifer Peppin told The Seattle Times that consoles were being given the same treatment as laptops and video cameras because "these types of devices can resemble components that could be used in explosives." What, and smaller electronics can't? Peppin also told ShackNews that the consoles would not be subject to explosive swab testing or other security measures besides the separate X-ray screening. So don't worry about the residue from that firecracker tying up your flight plans, we suppose. ...

via gibiz

After denying the PS3 Starter Pack is a limited offer in Europe, new evidence from Sony UK has shown that the GBP 425 deal is likely to end at the end of the summer – much like the bundle in the Australian market.

Yesterday it emerged that Sony Australia would only be offering the deal – which includes the console, extra Sixaxis controller and choice of two first-party games – until the end of the month. Sony told GamesIndustry.biz that the offer is ongoing in the European regions.

However, emails being sent from Sony to consumers dissatisfied that they purchased the GBP 425 console before the Starter Pack was announced – and therefore missed out on free games and peripherals – have stated that the current deal is a summer promotion only.

"I was sorry to hear that you are dissatisfied with regards to the launch of the PlayStation 3 Starter Pack. I would like to take this opportunity to stress that this is a summer promotion and that due to the nature of this offer it will end on a predetermined date," said the email from SCEE.

But despite acknowledging that these emails were being sent out from Sony, a representative for the company again reiterated to GamesIndustry that the current Starter Pack offering "will continue for the foreseeable future".

While the messages form Sony may be mixed at the current time, it's expected that the company will be making further announcements regarding the future of the console and its price at this month's Game Convention in Leipzig. ...

via gibiz

Leading industry analyst Michael Pachter believes that there won't be another drop in price for the PlayStation 3 this year, instead Sony will likely reposition the console price ahead of the release of highly anticipated software titles GTA IV and Metal Gear Solid 4 in 2008.

However, the Wedbush Morgan exec does expect a further price drop for Sony's PlayStation 2 console before Christmas.

"Although we do not expect another PS3 price cut this year, we think a price cut for the PS2 is possible," said Pachter in his latest note to investors. "Any hardware price reduction could serve as a catalyst for sales growth later in the year."

"We do expect Sony to be in a position to cut the price of the PS3 in early 2008, when blockbuster games Grand Theft Auto IV and PS3 exclusive Metal Gear Solid 4 will launch," he offered.

Pachter also believes that publishers will continue to see growth in 2007, as investor's fears over the console transition begin to disappear.

"Should industry sales continue to be strong, we think that investors concerns about a secular shift away from videogames will subside, and we expect the US publisher stocks to continue to appreciate.

"It may take until after the holidays when concerns about the 'stalled' cycle are fully alleviated, and we expect volatility for videogame stocks through the year, though with an upward bias," he said. ...

via gibiz

Microsoft has finally announced an expected price cut on the Xbox 360, slashing USD 50 of the recommended retail price in the US.

The Premium model will now carry a retail price of USD 349.99, the Core unit will sell for USD 279.99 and the recently launched Elite model will be priced at USD 449.99, effective August 8.

"The fact that we have been able to keep our launch price longer than any other console while retaining our leadership position demonstrates that consumers believe in the value of Xbox 360," said Mitch Koch, corporate vice president of Global Retail Sales and Marketing Group for Microsoft.

"On the eve of the best holiday games line-up ever and the launch of Madden NFL 08, there has never been a better time to jump into Xbox 360."

The company has also announced that the Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition console will sell for USD 399.99 and launch in September, complete with green and gold branding, 20GB hard-drive, wireless headset and Play and Charge Kit. ...