via Manchester Evening News

SHE is 89, he is 73 - ages when a gentle game of bingo might seem appropriate.

But Evelyn Robinsonand Harry Callaghan and their pensioner pals are keeping young in heart and mind - competing against each other on Nintendo DS Lite consoles.

Their residential home has just taken delivery of two hand-held consoles. They are now eager fans of games such as Pac-man.

Each of the two consoles - worth about £100 - has been loaded up with the iconic computer game as well as Dr Kawashima's Brain Training game. And all the residents at Sherwood House in Wigan are now taking turns to register top scores on the popular 1980s game as well as boosting their memory and brain power by playing Dr Kawashima's game.

Sherwood House manager Gill Menguy said: "It has gone down really well with residents.

"They really enjoy playing on the Pac-man game and the brain training game is keeping their mind active with questions on maths and other subjects.

Initiative

"We are hoping to get some more games such as murder mysteries, fighting games and football games so there is something for everyone."

The initiative has been introduced by CLS Care Services who run the home.

Harry, who has lived at the home for three years said: "It's brilliant. I could sit here all day and play it. It's quite addictive.

"With Dr Kawashima you are asked all sorts of questions and it helps to keep your brain sharp. The less you use your brain the more it goes." Harry is already is a big fan of PC computer games as he has limited mobility and is particularly keen on interactive detective, adventure and war games.

But after spending a few hours on one of the new Nintendos he is completely converted to the hand held consoles.

Harry, a grandfather-of-six and great grandfather-of-three, who used to live in Kitt Green, Wigan, said: "I wish I had one to myself!"

Mrs Menguy said: "It's something a bit different and makes a change from bingo."

David Yarnton, of Nintendo, said: "No matter what age you are, the simple daily exercises on this console can help to stimulate and reinvigorate your brain." ...

via Cubed3

Mitchell Corporation (Polarium, actionloop) has two Nintendo DS games set for 2007, as well as a Wii game this year. Also, your ideas for a Pang update have not been wasted as it is likely to come to Wii in the future!

So, could we be seeing Polarium on Wii sometime soon? We certainly hope so! ...

via Tomb Raider Chronicles

Eidos Interactive, one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, is pleased to announce a brand new puzzle title for Nintendo DS, SPY-Q.

Spy-Q is a collaboration between Fighting Fantasy gamebook author Ian Livingstone and award-winning puzzle and game designer Dr. Reiner Knizia who has more than 300 board games and books to his name. Reiner is an expert in algorithmically generated puzzles and has designed some original ones for SPY-Q.

Produced by specialist DS developer Razorback Developments, SPY-Q takes the player on a series of puzzle-solving spy missions, each designed to stretch even the keenest minds to their limit.

n a race against time, players must travel to 16 international cities and solve ingenious puzzles and conundrums to find clues, uncover evidence and unlock secrets to track down the evil Dr. Know. Only when you have completed each mission are you free to jump on your plane to get to the next city to face the next fiendish challenge. ...

via SlashGear

I’ve shown you how to make a wireless NES controller for your Wii, but if you were more of a Sega fan back in the day, I’ve got a new one for you.



The guys over at Cre.ations have converted an old Sega Genesis controller so that it will work with your Wii. This one is definitely not for the feint of heart.

In then end, you’ve got yourself a fully-functional Sega Genesis controller that Sonic would be proud of. ...

via PlayStation Universe

Famitsu speaks for Japan's gaming desires every week with their "Most Wanted" list. Here is their most recent:

(NOTE: The parentheses indicate the game's rank in Famitsu's two previous "Most Wanted" charts.)

1. (1 / 2) Dragon Quest IX NDS Square Enix
2. (2 / 1) Final Fantasy XIII PS3 Square Enix
3. (3 / 3) Biohazard 5 PS3 Capcom
4. (5 / 4) Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 Konami
5. (6 / 7) Monster Hunter 3 PS3 Capcom
6. (9 / 8) Zelda no Densetsu: Phantom Hourglass NDS Nintendo
7. (10/ 9) Super Robot Taisen: Original Generations PS2 Banpresto
8. (7 /12) Odin Sphere PS2 Atlus
9. (14/11) Everybody’s Golf 5 PS3 Sony
10. (11/10) Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors Wii Square Enix
11. (8 /17) Devil May Cry 4 PS3 Capcom
12. (12/14) Lost Odyssey Xbox 360 Microsoft
13. (13/16) Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings NDS Square Enix
14. (15/13) Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wii Nintendo
15. (19/15) Doubutsu no Mori [Animal Crossing] Wii Nintendo
16. (16/18) Shining Wind PS2 Sega
17. (20/19) Final Fantasy Tactics: Shishi Sensou PSP Square Enix
18. (18/20) Final Fantasy Versus XIII PS3 Square Enix
19. (17/21) Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII PSP Square Enix
20. (23/23) Gran Turismo 5 PS3 Sony

Out of the 20 titles, 13 are for a PlayStation platform and, specifically, 4 out of the top 5 are for PlayStation 3. If Famistu is an accurate representation of what Japanese gamers truly want, the PlayStation 3 will rapidly pick up some steam in late 2007 and 2008 when those titles are released.

As usual, Microsoft struggles to maintain interest in the eyes of the Japanese, with only one title making the list. Lost Odyssey, which is supposedly their Pandora's Box for Japan, only ranks #12 on the list. Keep in mind Everybody’s Golf 5 ranks in at a solid #10. That has to tell you something about Japan's taste.

Finally, we have to talk about Dragon Quest IX for the Nintendo DS. A handheld title, consistently ranking the most wanted title of Japan clearly displays the success the DS is enjoying in the Land of the Rising Sun. ...

via Pro-G

Sony has created anger and front-page headlines by using a dead goat at the God of War II launch event.

The partly decapitated animal carcass was the centrepiece of a display at the party, and apparently contained 'offal' in its open stomach, made to represent intestines, which was fed to guests in a competition to see who could eat the most.

The rather gory pictures of the party were placed in Official PlayStation Magazine, until the Mail on Sunday, who yesterday ran a bold front-page news story on the incident, contacted the magazine to complain, resulting in a promise to recall the entire print run.

Animal rights organisations and government ministers have spoken out against Sony, though the apparent flak the company is facing for irresponsible marketing to youngsters seems rather unjustified as God of War II has an 18 rating.

Many have been quick to defend Sony, pointing out that dead animals make the meal tables of almost every party and launch event there is. ...

via NintendoRevolution.ca

As of right now, Wii has been consistently outselling Xbox 360 every single month ever since the console launched.

But Peter Moore, head of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business division, recently questioned how long Nintendo Wii will be innovative and whether it's truly a next-gen contender.

When asked by 1UP what he thought about it, Moore was both complimentary and condescending at the same time.

"The same way when I first saw it last year: It's a very innovative device," he explained.

"It's done incredibly well at the holiday period and retailers seem to be very happy. The question that remains is, how long will the experience be innovative to consumers, and what are the legs of this thing? Is it a real next-gen contender that can continue deep into the lifecycle, that can continue to meet the numbers?"

Moore acknowledged that he does not own a Wii yet, but "I was hoping my friend Reggie [Fils-Aime, Nintendo's president and COO] would send me one."

Perhaps he's suffering from Wii envy. ...

via China Post

Nintendo's distributor in Taiwan is warning owners of Wii game consoles purchased abroad not to alter the machines to read pirated game software.

Nintendo's Wii game console has been well received since being launched in Japan and the United States last November, but it has yet to be sold in Taiwan.

The game console features a handheld device which allows players to mimic movements such as swinging a tennis racket while following the game on television.

Reports have said that converter chips produced in Britain and Australia which allow the Wii game console to read game software in all countries are now available in electronic game stores and on the Internet.

The chips, sold at NT$500 to NT$1,500 per unit, can be installed on the game consoles at electronic game stores.

No laws ban the use of the chips, which can also read pirated game software off burned CDs.

Police have so far not received any reports and taken any action on the use of the chips.

Nintendo's Taiwan distributor Hakuyu Ltd. said that no timetable has been set on the Taiwan launch of the Wii game consoles, but once the product goes on the market, preventive measures will be taken against pirated game software.

The company added that it will not be responsible for the maintenance and repair of Wii game consoles purchased abroad. ...

via WorthPlaying

SEGA is developing the NDS-exclusive SEGA Presents Touch Darts, combining individual dart competitions within a stylized playing environment, along with a mixture of amusing multiplayer modes and wildly inspired mini-games.

Based upon Touch Mechanics original game concept and developed by respected handheld game developers Full Fat, SEGA Presents Touch Darts will be released across Europe in summer 2007 exclusive for the Nintendo DS.

With its stylised look and feel SEGA Presents Touch Darts grabs darts by the flight and boldly steps up to the oche. Players can use the unique touch screen of the Nintendo DS to accurately simulate the throwing of a dart and by drawing the stylus over the touch screen, players will be able to aim their dart and throw it with all the precision of a seasoned pro.

“SEGA Presents Touch Darts is a great fit for the DS: the touch screen, the multiplayer options, the innovative gameplay and the great mini-games make it a fantastic addition to anyone’s DS collection,” said Gary Knight, European Marketing Director, SEGA Europe.

Featuring a roster of outrageous extrovert characters, each with their own unique style, SEGA Presents Touch Darts has someone for everyone and mini-games for all, with a healthy dash of artistic license thrown in for good measure.

SEGA Presents Touch Darts is scheduled for release across Europe during summer 2007 for the Nintendo DS. ...