Are you one of the few importers who picked up a Virtua Stick High Grade arcade stick with your copy of the Japanese version of Virtua Fighter 5? Then a big, fat Nelson-ish Ha-Ha to you!

Following the 2/8 release of the PS3 peripheral, Sega learned of a strange problem with the device that at times makes it fail to register lever and button inputs. The company stopped sales of the device (shortly after they'd begun) and is looking into the problem.

Those who purchased the peripheral will be able to get a refund from Sega. Specific details will be offered on Valentines Day, 2/14. We're not sure if importers will be taken care of by Sega directly, but we'd suggest contacting your importing source for further information.

via ign ...

via ign

It's been exactly a year since Activision last said anything about its game based on Michael Bay's upcoming robot movie, Transformers -- and even then, explicit information about the title was closely guarded (specific consoles hadn't been named; the developers weren't identified, etc). But after 52 weeks of nothing, our contacts at Activision have finally come clean and given us a couple of details to work with.

Officially known as Transformers: The Game, the Traveller's Tales-developed actioner is scheduled for just about every platform out there (PC, PS2, PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360) and will come out this summer with nearly identical content. Its storyline will follow the movie closely, giving players control over both the Autobots and the Decepticons as they choose to either protect the earth or pimp slap it.

The final number of playable characters is still unknown, but Activision has confirmed that Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream, Bumblebee, and Ironhide are among them. Each bot has their own set of special skills and abilities too, and gamers will be able to switch between robot and vehicle form at any time. Fully destructible environments (including entire buildings and vehicles) and the ability to use wreckage as weapons are also expected.

Combat mechanics still aren't very clear, but developers do say that each character's scale and weight affects how they fight. Both ranged and melee battles are possible as well, and there are a few other elements that haven't been expanded on yet.

Handheld fans should also take note that PSP and DS versions are in the works from Savage and Vicarious Visions respectively. No details about the Dual Screen edition were made public, wowever, we do know that the PSP edition boasts 20 playable Autobots and Decepticons and follows an expanded telling of the movie's storyline (complete with bot customization and ad hoc/ infrastructure multiplayer modes). ...

via ps3fanboy

He not only answered questions, but he even said things that he probably shouldn't have said, like when asked what he's been playing, he replied: "The next version of LocoRoco which... I can't really talk about because we haven't announced it." Nice. Well, let's make a list of other questions and answers that were pretty important.


What will the PS3 do to reach out to casual gamers?
"Something we've done successfully in Europe is something we've coined 'social gaming.' We've had great success with SingStar and EyeToy, which combined is over a $500 million category - Singstar has sold 7 million units." He then demonstrates Singstar (I wonder if he was any good!) and talks about an upcoming PS3 iteration that goes online. The SingStore concept will allow you to buy songs off of the PS-Store to use in the game. Neat!
What's up with the apparent lack of developer support?
Some key technical documents and information originate in Japan and don't flow very easily to other parts of the world. Harrison also notes that many of the critical PS3 components were created in English-speaking parts of the world.
Are you planning to improve the PlayStation Store to better compare with XBox Live?
Harrison says: "The launch of a platform like PS3 is not a fixed specification the day you buy the console. The chipset stays the same but what it does in software changes over time. We'll continue to refine [the PlayStation 3 Network], not just for developer experience, but for consumers too. This year we'll be adding some functionality to the PSP that will unify our approach."
So... why's it taking so long for the PSP to get some creativity? You said it would be a console in the palm of your hand. What gives?
Phil was pretty direct here. "I don't mean to belittle developers, but we've only managed to recreate PS2 in the palm in your hand. I think we can go deeper, I think we can explore more features of the machine, connectivity, social aspects, media aspects, and integrate it into game design that is unique to that format. It's not a missed opportunity so much as a future opportunity."

All right. Well said, Phil Harrison. We'll keep mental tabs on the things you've said and make sure that at least some of the promises are achieved. Anyone think these goals are possible? Impossible? Useless? Useful? Question number five? ...

via ps3fanboy

Yes, just for you. Exactly like how those Girls Gone Wild commercials say that "these girls can't wait to get naked just for you" -- don't believe us? Watch Comedy Central after the Colbert Report. Sorry, claims like that are really annoying. It's just for me, not you. Anyway, the PS-Store has released a few new things for you to enjoy. Sadly, no demos. But there is a PS-One classic for your PSP!

If you just can't wait for flOw, there's an HD video up for download and what can we say? It looks darn sexy. Sounds sexy, too. There's also a new game for the PSP, 2 Xtreme, which some could say is the sequel to a cult hit. There's also a movie trailer for Lucky You, but whatever. Maybe after the European launch we'll see some demos. Until then, we're counting the days to flOw and that rubber duckie game... Super Rub-a-Dub. Best idea ever. This yellow duckie can't wait to take a bath, just for you! ...

Papafuji has released a rebuild of Babylon v0.9 which is now compatible with M3 Simply and R4DS Flash Carts.

Babylon is a Board game for the Nintendo DS.

Download and Give Feedback Via Comments ...

DrNeo posted this news:

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Loutre has released a new Rtype game for the Nintendo DS.

Check out the screen:



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via pspfanboy

This mumbo-jumbo that appears on your screen happens to be code extracted from a decrypted version of firmware 3.10. MaTiAz appears to have uncovered a reference to a "skype_plugin" within the code. While the functionality is clearly not present in the current revision of PSP's firmware, it appears that Sony's working on something for a future upgrade. Historically, it appears that hints to future functionality is hidden away in the code: references to the PSP camera and GPS were found in earlier decrypted firmware, long before they were officially released.

A similar Sony product, the Mylo, has implemented Skype functionality in the past. Certainly, being able to have some kind of VoIP service (free, or not) would increase the value of Sony's portable even more. Will you celebrate if Sony releases this in a future firmware revision?

Lets hope for a Dark ALex release with Skype ...

via dsfanboy

Most of the trailers we've seen from Lunar Knights have been in Japanese, so we figured it was a good week to show off an English version. The video weighs in at nearly three and a half minutes of world-saving, vampire-crushing hotness, and manages to show off just about everything a gamer needs to decide whether or not this one is a must-have. Now that's what we call a trailer.

Video Here ...