Apparently, Nintendo has previously stated that all downloadable games will be stored on flash memory cards.
Strange.

We came across this patent today, filed in February 2004 and renewed only recently. Here, have a read:

"An existing video game system is modified to include additional communication and storage capability via a modem and hard disk drive. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the primary system security features are incorporated into a video game system expansion device having a hard disk drive.

"The security system does not rely on the relatively insecure video game system. The present exemplary embodiment focuses security control in a disk drive/mass media controlling engine which is physically disposed within the expansion device housing as close as possible to the hard disk drive and the downloaded video games and other data it is designed to protect. Security features are incorporated into, for example, a disk drive controlling processing engine to provide security features which extend far beyond simplistic password systems which have heretofore been utilized in conjunction with disk drive controllers.
"In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the disk controller also incorporates an encrypting engine which encrypts in accordance with a highly secure encrypting algorithm. A further level of security is provided in the illustrative embodiments by partitioning the hard drive into various partitions whose security/accessibility is tightly controlled. Each application program, e.g., a video game, has a predetermined number of private partitions, including a read only encrypted partition."

Bit long winded isn't it? Here's how we translated it:

A console will include a hard disk and communication capability (internet). It'll have a security system and the ability to download stuff onto it.

Sounds like it could be the Revolution. But might apply to the GBA or DS 2. We tried to get hold of Nintendo, but alas could not get comment at time of going to press. ...

Xbox 360 chief architect Peter Moore has already stated that there are no plans to stream full-length 360 titles via Live. However, there is great potential to introduce episodic gaming. Services like Xbox Live Arcade are definitely going to take a chunk out of retailers’ profits, but episodic gaming could completely change how we buy and play games.

By staggering the release of a game’s content into weekly intervals, publishers can create the same kind of frenzy and anticipation that avid television watchers experience. But is the Xbox 360 HDD prepared to handle this transition? Would new episodes replace old ones? How would this affect replay value? Once you own an episode, can you download it again? Questions, questions, questions… ...

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed that the company is aiming for a simultaneous worldwide release of its next-generation gaming console, the Revolution. Iwata also confirmed that the system will be coming out after March in 2006.

Talking about the Revolution in an interview with Nikkei Business, Iwata stated, "I can only say that it's coming out during 2006, but it will be after the current fiscal year. We hope to make it a simultaneous worldwide release as much as it's possible."

Since the current fiscal year for Nintendo ends on March 31, 2006, it means the Revolution, as predicted by analysts, will likely be released somewhere between April 1 and December 31, 2006.

When asked by Nikkei Business if he has any specific sales figure targeted for the Revolution, Iwata stated that he hopes the console will sell at least more than the GameCube, which has shipped 18.76 million units as of June.

"It [the Revolution] would be a complete failure if we didn't sell more units than the Nintendo GameCube," said Iwata.

The system's controller, which was revealed in September, was the focus of much of the console's buzz. Surprisingly, Iwata revealed to Nikkei that Nintendo's former president, Hiroshi Yamauchi, was not involved in any way with the creation of the Revolution's controller.

Iwata told Nikkei Business that the Revolution's controller uses several different types of technology, though he did not go into specifics. However, he did note that the controller can be used with any kind of monitor, even digital projectors. ...

Source - Gamespot

Rockstar's Games' latest criminal caper is once again one of America's most wanted. However, gamers looking for the title on its familiar turf of the PlayStation 2 will have to think smaller. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is now available for Sony's other console, the PSP.

Traditionally known for causing havoc on home-bound consoles, Liberty City Stories marks the first time the franchise has moved to the handheld market in the spirit of its bulkier brothers.

The game is set in the late 1990s and stars Tony Cipriani as a simple man with a simple dream: knocking off all rival crime families and scum in Liberty City to bring the city under the control of the Leone "family." Tony sets about his destiny by mixing with underworld kingpins, carjacking both innocents and enemies, and firing the occasional rocket propelled grenade into a mob of bystanders.

LCS introduces the first proper multiplayer mode for the series, and supports up to six players. A recent update to the game's Web site confirmed three new multiplayer modes to the previously announced trio. The Hit List works like a game of kill the carrier, except instead of tackling the target, it's open season on the player designated "it." Street Rage is a simple racing mode, challenging gamers to make checkpoints in vehicles. In The Wedding List, carjackers steal select cars and deliver them to secret shipping crates in the best condition possible. A final multiplayer mode, Tanks for the Memories, pits one player in a tank while others play tankbuster.

The Web site also features a new trailer with footage of the multiplayer action, as well as some new screens. ...

news from GIBiz:

Following the US launch of the Gizmondo on October 22, Tiger Telematics has said the handheld has been well received by consumers - with many top software titles already out of stock.

The Gizmondo is on sale in 14 mall kiosks across the country, and is also available via the official website priced at USD 229 for the standalone unit.

The previously announced sat-nav bundle is not yet available, however - and the package itself has changed. Instead of the USD 399 bundle, comprising a unit and Gizmondo Satellite Navigator 2006 software, the website is offering a new deal which also includes a car cradle for USD 499.

According to Tiger Telematics, the handheld is "receiving an enthusiastic reception from US consumers." The Gizmondo website reveals that many of the handheld's premium titles - including SSX3, FIFA Soccer 2206, Fathammer Classics and Pocket Ping Pong - are sold out.

Tiger CEO Mike Carrender said that the company was "delighted" with the response from consumers so far, adding: "From here we intend to escalate our launch activities and look forward to making further announcements as we roll out through retail." ...

The first Xbox 360 demonstration units were shipped to Wal-Mart stores across the United States last week to great fanfare, and have since been plagued with reports of problems with the wireless functionality on the devices - which Microsoft has now confirmed is a known problem that it is working on a fix for.

The issue appears to be that the wireless controllers for the device (reports on this are confused, but as far as we can gather the pads are wireless but have a USB plug running into the back of them to keep them charged up) are interfering with wireless equipment used by many retailers, including product scanners.

This had prompted fears that the console - which operates on the same 2.4Ghz band used by home wireless networks and cordless phones - could also interfere with devices in people's homes, but according to Microsoft, this will not be a problem.

"This issue is specific to the equipment used in a few retail environments," a Microsoft spokesperson told gaming blog Kotaku earlier this week. "Microsoft has one of the most robust testing programs in the industry and has ensured that Xbox 360 meets all FCC/ETSI requirements and rules for operation in the 2.4Ghz band."

The problem appears to be that some of the devices being used by retailers are outdated technology that was built before regulations were introduced to make sure that gadgets on the increasingly crowded 2.4Ghz band play nicely with one another, so the presence of an Xbox 360 messes up their operation.

"We are working closely with our partners to provide a software solution that mitigates this problem within their retail environments," explained the Microsoft spokesperson. "Adjustments and tweaks to kiosks of any kind are quite common once they're deployed in a live retail environment and we consider making such adjustments a standard part of the launch process."

Xbox 360 pods are expected to appear in some UK retail outlets, as well as in other retailers around the United States, within the next week or so. ...

We’ve plenty discussed Xbox 360 backward compatibility issues over the last few months, but we’ve nary addressed what’s in store for Sony’s PlayStation 3. Maybe it was the PlayStation 2’s recent difficulties in playing old (and even new) games that re-prompted the question, but it’s almost like people have been taking it for granted that the PS3 would be able to play PS2 games—especially after precedent was set by having the PS2 play original PlayStation games and they ran their it’s-gonna-be-backwards-compatible E3 launch in spite of Microsoft’s then-soft stance on the issue. But after Sony’s recent PS2 debacle overseas, it was reported that Sony spokesperson Reiko Sakamoto told the press, “It’s hard to say the PlayStation 3 will be 100 percent backwards compatible, but as we said earlier this year we aim to make it so as much as possible.” If they’re having trouble making minor changes to the PS2 and actually leaving a bit of doubt as to whether the PS3 will work as expected, well, we’re not liking the sound of this, not one bit. ...

PSP298 has released in our PSP Emulation and Homebrew Forum --> http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=12848 a new version of his port of Visual Boy Advance to the PSP, heres whats new in this version:

Change in v1.1
- Speed increase, how much, try it and see it yourself
- Add 240x160 screen mode
- Add vsync on/off, can speed-up a little bit for some game

Download from the release topic here --> http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=12848 or our PSPGBA page here --> http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/pspgba.shtml
Download 76 Freeware/Homebrew roms for GBA from here --> http://gbaemu.dcemu.co.uk/gba_roms.shtml

Thanks to PSP298 for this excellent release for the PSP Scene ...

Fanjita`s excellent Eboot Loader for v2.0 firmware PSPs is a great piece of software but for those who want ease of use then a v1.0 (No chance of getting this firmware version) and also a v1.5 are the best ones to get.

Now a lot of people would never touch a downgrader with a bargepole as the risk of bricking (killing your PSP) is there, there may be a small chance but thats not gonna please the 0.01% who bricked theirs.

Luckily theres still some shops worldwide who have still got v1.5s (Legit and not Claiming falsely) in stock, heres the rundown on who has em and for what price:

Success HK - USD 245.00
Divineo Germany - 299.95 €
Divineo Sweden are selling the Black version for 2590 Kr and the white version for 2690Kr.

Thats just 3 stores that i could find and i bet theres more worldwide although only buy from legit shops and not some Ebay or Email selling scammer. ...