via mcv

Nintendo has confirmed that it is developing new software to take advantage of interoperability between DS and Wii – and that it is hopeful of bringing it to UK retail in 2007.
Speaking exclusively to MCV, DS product manager at Nintendo James Honeywell said that a link-up between the two consoles would prove a key factor in pushing sales of both formats.

Last month, websites reported hands-on trials with the first fruits of DS/Wii development, Pokemon Battle Revolution, which is yet to be given a UK release date. But Honeywell confirmed that Nintendo is working on many more cross-platform titles.

“You will definitely see Wii and DS interoperability as soon as we have it finished,” said Honeywell. “We haven’t made any announcements over specific software for connectivity, but there are definitely a number of exciting things in creation which we want to bring to market as soon as possible. We’re hopeful that will be next year.”

Honeywell also took the opportunity to distance DS/Wii connectivity from the bi-console connectivity offered by the platform holders’ rivals, stating that any Wii/DS link-up would continue “Nintendo’s ethos of fun and play”.

“Our competitors might offer connectivity between formats, but it concentrates on media capabilities, rather than the fun and interaction you’ll get when you bring our two consoles together,” he added.

“For example, the connectivity between Xbox 360 and PC is very much based in streaming video and other media. The link-up between Wii and DS will be much more about offering new forms of gameplay, fun and interaction. It will offer yet another new set of experiences for the whole family.” ...

via mcv

Think the PSP is struggling? Think again. Sony has told MCV that it is confident of selling one million units in the UK before the end of the year, safely securing its place as the second best-selling console of 2006.
After a raft of online fanboy disdain and hype surrounding its home console rivals, the PSP has managed to comfortably outsell both PS2 and Xbox 360 in 2006 – leaving its performance at UK retail second only to Nintendo’s DS.

“People mention us in the same breath as DS because we’re both handheld products, but we’re actually going after very different markets,” Sony UK’s commercial director Kevin Jowett told MCV. “We’ve put in just under £300 million of turnover at retail with PSP because we’re such a boys console and we’ve hit the mark with older gamers.”

The PSP arrived in the UK to much fanfare last September, and quickly became the fastest selling console the territory had ever seen. But the rise of the DS and the troubling performance of UMD have dampened enthusiasm surrounding the format.

However, ChartTrack’s statistics bear out the fact that 2006 has truly been the Year Of The Handheld – and that PSP has been a dominant force. And Sony sees much more to come next year.

Jowett added: “The evolution you’ll see on PSP will be greater than any console Sony has ever released, starting with new peripherals like the PSP camera, which is out in early 2007.” ...

via ign

Sony is delivering the ultimate Christmas gift to Japan this year: a free demo of Gran Turismo 5, set for download starting December 24 exclusively via the PlayStation Store. Thanks to Famitsu, we were able to relive our childhoods and get a sneak peak at the gift in advance.

According to the latest issue of the magazine, the demo, titled Gran Turismo HD Concept, will ship with one course and ten cars. The course is the all new Eiger Nordwand, and you'll be able to race it normal and reverse.

The car list has mostly Japanese vehicles, but there are some high profile foreign models in the bunch. Here's the full list:

Suzuki Cappuccino '95

Mazda Eunos Roadster '89

Honda Integra Type R'04

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR'96

Infinity G35 Coupe

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR'05

Lotus Elise 111R'04

Nissan Sky Liner GT-R V Spec II '94

Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car '95

Ferrari 599'06

You start the demo off exclusively with the Cappuccino, but by clearing the time attack mode in a pre-set time, you'll be able to unlock the next car. Eventually, you'll unlock a drift trial mode.

The magazine also scored an interview with Kazunori Yamauchi. The Gran Turismo series producer talked about how the demo came about, and what we can expect in the coming year from his hard working team at Polyphony Digital.

Asked to explain why Sony decided to skip out on a retail release for Gran Turismo HD, and instead focus on GT5, Yamauchi admitted that following the Tokyo Game Show, gamers expressed their desire for the full game. He made specific mention of overseas gamers, which means that if you complained on a message board, your voice might have been heard.

Yamauchi spoke vaguely on the relationship between GT5 and GTHD. While not getting into specifics, he stated that his team wants to put both GTHD Premium and GTHD Classic into the new title. Asked if Sony intends on carrying out its ambitious plans for downloadable content, Yamauchi stated that there has yet to be a decision on whether or not to carry the business model over.

On the topic of the GTHD Concept demo itself, Yamauchi revealed that the Christmas Eve download will include Polyphony's next generation driving simulation engine. According to the producer, this engine fixes such areas as drift control and drift angle. As previously announced, the demo won't have online races, but it will offer network rankings separated according to the various cars. Replays from the top ranked players will be available for download, so you can see how the best of the best race.

More downloadable content will become available before GT5's full release. Yamauchi promised a photo mode of some form to become available for download. He wouldn't give a specific time frame.

Yamauchi also promised an official announcement for Gran Turismo 5 before the next Tokyo Motor Show, scheduled for October 27, 2007. We plan on getting close and personal with the GTHD Concept demo until then. ...

New from SuccessHK

Star Wars: Lethal Alliance is the first original Star Wars game built exclusively for portable gaming systems. Immerse yourself in an adventure that takes place between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope. Gamers will engage in collaborative gameplay as they embody both Twi'lek Rianna Saren and her security droid Zeeo. Hired by the Rebel Alliance, this deadly duo must work together to infiltrate Imperial planets and fight legions of evil fiends. Our heroes' ultimate goal: Uncover the Empire's most deadly secret - the Death Star. ...

Great news for Sims fans as Sims 2 Pets has been released:

Heres all the info:



Get your paws on The Sims™ 2 Pets and create pets for your Sims to train, play with, and love as their own! From scampering puppies to cuddly kittens, add a new furry friend to your Sims' lives. You'll have the option to choose from your favorite breeds or customize your very own! With so many features and personalities to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect pet for your Sims family! As in real life, your Sims pets will require care and training. Teach them your favorite tricks and give them the attention they need. A neglected cat with an urge to scratch might claw up your new couch if you aren't careful and leaving your dog unattended near a freshly planted flower bed probably isn't wise. Keep in mind that Sims pets-like their owners-have a mind of their own, so expect the unexpected.

Buy Here --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-1l1y.html ...

Several New PS2 games and one accessorie have been released over at Play Asia, heres the list of them:

Neo Geo Stick 3 Ougi Version US$ 69.90
Prince of Tennis: Doki Doki Sabaibaru - Mystic JPN US$ 59.90
Secret of Evangelion JPN US$ 64.90
Secret of Evangelion (Asuka Version) JPN US$ 95.00
Secret of Evangelion (Ayanami Version) JPN US$ 95.00

More info --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...9-en-84-n.html ...

New for PS3:



What's a Japanese video game console release like without exotic Japanese games? From the makers of the popular Densha de Go! series comes the very first PlayStation3™ train simulation game -- Railfan.

The game emphasizes on realism and allows you to drive trains in three different locations, including Chicago's brown line, part of Tokyo's JR system and Osaka. Your task in the game is simply, you need to run the train properly and make sure to stop on time at each station. Controls are pretty simple as well, you only need to control the train's throttle.

Railfan differs from other train simulation games mainly by its graphics. The game's graphics are displayed by a streaming video of the actual train lines. The camera shakes to give you the feeling of a moving train and cut-scenes will display additional overhead views of the train.

buy here --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-1nwc.html ...

Havent got a Wii yet or cant get online, well heres a video of the Forecast (weather) Channel

Video here --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO83JzjW41s ...

Via Joystiq

There's been a surprising amount of chatter recently about some sort of "Christmas surprise" coming out of Nintendo on Monday, Dec. 25. The source of all this speculation, as far as we can figure it, is a Nov. 30 post on RumorReporter.com that coyly suggests "you might want to keep an eye on your Wii's WiiConnect24 service leading up to this Christmas. Nintendo's sending a nifty gift... a surprise."

The only cited source for this information? "A friend of mine from Germany, who works for a very legitimate gaming production and publication." And really, if you can't trust some guy's unnamed German friend who works for an unnamed "legitimate" gaming company, who can you trust?

The extreme sketchiness of this tip hasn't stopped the 'net from rampant speculation on what the big surprise might be. The current leading contender seems to be free Virtual Console games. As GamersReports notes, a little Firefox hacking can turn up Wii Shop pages for upcoming games Super Mario Bros., ToeJam & Earl and R-Type that list the price as "0 points / Free." The report is careful to note this as a rumor, but still holds out hope for "a real Christmas miracle, though."

We don't buy it. As noted on the original hacking guide on Following Revolution, "any unreleased game says free for now, as it's just a placeholder for price" which will be set later. Some might say that the "free" message where the "download" button usually appears proves that the games are indeed going to be offered gratis, but it would be a relatively simple process for Nintendo to set that message as the default for any page with an unset price. At best, this proves that the virtual console has the functionality to offer products for free -- something we've long known was planned for the system's Opera browser.

But the greatest argument against this Christmas surprise is that it's bad business. Giving away Super Mario Bros., a title that is likely to be one of the Virtual Console's biggest sellers, is not a smart move for a company that obviously values profits. The positive PR for the move likely wouldn't offset the hundreds of thousands of dollars lost to the free downloads.

We suppose we could be wrong here, and that some huge surprise could show up on our systems come Christmas morning. Just don't get your hopes up, is all. ...