via engadget

While earlier reports of Zune screens cracking from battery pressure didn't exactly prove to be widespread, that hasn't stopped others from supposedly finding new cracks of a different sort, although the cause of them remains unclear. As the shot above courtesy of Cliczune.com shows, at least one of the cracks appears to have occurred on the LCD panel itself, with the Zune's screen protector remaining intact, which would seem to preclude damage as a result of direct impact. What's more, according to Cliczune, another of its readers reported hearing a popping noise just before their screen cracked, and yet another reportedly sent their cracked Zune back to Microsoft for repairs, only to have the newly replaced screen crack a week later. That said, the problems still appear to be relatively few and far between, so if anyone's had some unfortunate Zune experiences of their own, feel free to let us know about 'em. ...

A highly reliable source just sent in this image of a Nintendo DS using WiFi -- rather than GPS -- for geopositioning data (sorta like that iriver W10 we mentioned back in January). Not sure when this might be commercialized, but it would potentially make it possible to add location-based data to DS games without requiring some sort of GPS add-on.

Screens Via Comments.
via engadget ...

Divineo USA have added both the Wiikey and the Cyclowiz v2 Nintendo Wii Modchips to their store:

Heres what they posted about the Cyclowiz:

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Kicking off the Independent Game Summit at this year's GDC, veteran game coder and camel fanatic Jeff Minter has given a fresh showcase of his new XBLA game Space Giraffe, which he insists "is not Tempest 4000".

"Space Girafe is not Tempest. It may look like Tempest but that's basically because I wanted to have some kind of continuity with Tempest 2000," he told the keynote audience. "Plus I don't want to have to always worry about who owns the rights to the name Tempest," he notes as one of the reasons for ditching the shooter IP.

Minter demoed several levels of the psychedelic 360 blaster (including our favourites 'Stargate: Basingstoke' and 'Another Day in the Orifice') which shares technology with the Xbox 360's own visualization software, which Minter developed for Microsoft.

As for when Space Giraffe will hit Live Arcade, Minter says it will be ready for the submission process in "maybe March", after which it will take "maybe six weeks" to get through

via cvg ...

Chishm has posted a sweet new app for the Nintendo DS, an Action Replay Clone that lets you cheat on Commercial games and even the codes used are the Action Replay Ones, excellent free clone for the Nintendo DS.

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Heres the details:


Download Both Versions and Give Feedback Via Comments

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The Red Star, the combat-shooter which was previously an Acclaim title, has been picked up by Take-Two for European release and is due out on PS2 on April 6.

The game is based on a comic book written by Christian Gossett and throws players into a parallel universe of industrial technology and arcane magic that's been ripped apart by warfare. Soldiers of a Soviet-inspired superpower - United Republics of the Red Star (U.R.R.S.) - are battling Dark Lord Imbohl and his chief assassin, Troika, the Harvester of Souls.

You get to fill the combat boots of three of the U.R.R.S.'s greatest warriors, each boasting unique fighting skills and styles and weapons, and attempt to unite the scattered Republics of the Red Star and liberate them from Troika's rule.

Screens Here ...

Goldeneye 007 is the game every proper N64 fan wants to see running in slick hi-res on the Wii's Virtual Console, but with all the licensing issues, can it ever happen?

Can any of Rare's own franchises appear on the VC? It's the question that we all want to know, so one avid rare fan took the next step by posting on a Q&A page on Rareware's website. And here's Rare's response in full:

"This is where we finally edge into territory that could see Scribes neutron bombed from management level. The only Rare-developed title on Virtual Console right now is the original Donkey Kong Country, and unofficially there's a strong likelihood that its sequels will follow.

"But the Donkey Kong series of games is a Nintendo-owned franchise starring an established Nintendo character, whereas something like Banjo isn't (and even Diddy Kong Racing is less clear-cut), so it's nowhere near as easy to call.

"Especially when you also consider the existence of Xbox Live Arcade. So right now, the best answer we can offer (for either download service) is 'it's possible'. I like your sausage casserole mix, by the way."

Random sausage casserole reference aside, that's the state of play, so we can continue to dream.

Elsewhere on the Q&A page Rare's representative spoke more specifically about Goldeneye, explaining that it's "caught up in a convoluted web of rights", but that this "doesn't mean it won't happen, just that a lot of people with a lot of different perspectives are involved."

Who do we have to kidnap to make it happen, Rare? Just name names.

via cvg ...

New from Divineo UK



- Official accessories for Wii™ Console.
- Silicon Protection for your Wiimote™ and Nunchuk™
- ´Soft Touch´ coating for improved comfort

This pack includes the following:
1 x Silicon ´Double injection´ protection for your Wiimote™
1 x Silicon protection for your Nunchuk™ controller

Red, Blue and Black Colours Available ...

Today Nintendo adds three new classic games to the popular Wii™ video game system's Wii Shop Channel. The games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

Elevator Action (NES®, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): This is a multidirectional, scroll-type spy-action game that is a blast from the past. Control a spy and sneak alone into a building to steal the secret papers hidden there. Use a pistol, kicks, an elevator and even the lights to take out the building's guards. The gun-fighting action is full of thrills. Players will need speed and timing to get on the elevators, move between floors, steal the secret papers and escape from the basement parking lot.

Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts™ (Super NES®, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): The third game in the legendary Ghosts 'n Goblins series of video games, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts follows Arthur in another quest to rescue the princess, his fair maiden and damsel in distress at large. Players take control of Arthur and defeat the creatures of the night to save the day once more. Discover what glory awaits those brave enough to take on the armies of Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts.

Sword of Vermilion™ (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): Sword of Vermilion is about the role of Erik's son, who takes on a quest of revenge to defeat Tsarkon and free the world of Vermilion from evil. In the town of Excalabria, the people went about their business and tended to the fields. One day, vicious fighting broke out everywhere as the army of Cartahena, led by the wizard-king Tsarkon, swarmed all over the town. The townsmen were overwhelmed. The castle of King Erik V collapsed. Erik summoned his bravest, strongest and most faithful warrior, Blade, and gave him his infant son and an ancient family heirloom, the ring of wisdom. He ordered Blade to save himself and the child while the castle burned. Blade traveled to a small village named Wyclif, where he settled down and raised the child as his own son. Eighteen years later, the son of Erik begins his quest. Save the world of Vermilion and fulfill the prophecy of the Malaga fortune-tellers! ...