via Games Industry


Nintendo has confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that only those that first purchase Wii Speak will be able to use the peripheral and the associated Wii Speak Channel.

The units comes with a one-time activation code that will not be replaced, effectively killing any second hand sales of the peripheral.

Only those with Wii Speak will be able to access the Wii Speak Channel, which does not function without a Wii Speak unit.

Wii Speak goes on sale in the UK on December 5 and is priced at GBP 25. ...

via IGN


Indie developer 2D Boy has announced that its critically-acclaimed World of Goo is now set to hit WiiWare in Europe, previous plans for a retail-only release for the territory now having been scrapped.

Speaking on its official website, 2D Boy revealed, "Ever since we realized that releasing World of Goo as a Wii retail game in Europe is unfair to those on the other side of the Atlantic, we've been in discussions with our European publisher about how to make things right."

Continuing, the developer revealed an ETA for the game's Euro debut: "We've started the submission process and hope to release it sometime in December", also noting World of Goo is likely to retail at the same 1500 Wii Point price tag seen in the US.

Meanwhile, European PC gamers will be able to enjoy the game at the same time, with 2D Boy anticipating a retail price of 19.99 EUR when World of Goo is released in stores, on Steam and other digital download services. ...

via Eurogamer


Microsoft appears to be preparing three more games for the budget Xbox Live Arcade Hits range.

Halved in price to 400 MS Points (GBP 3.40 / EUR 4.80) will be Worms, Feeding Frenzy and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, according to the list on the official US Xbox website.

However, we've had a scout around the Live service and can find no mention of the games in the XBLA Hits section.

Of the three, Worms will attract the most attention. This version recycles the classical formula of old, which, if you can stomach it, still holds plenty of local head-to-head charm. Head over to our Worms XBLA review for more.

Reviews of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 suggest a faithful port with online battles, while critiques of Feeding Frenzy paint a dismal picture.

Our picks of the rest of the Xbox Live Arcade Hits are DOOM, Marble Blast Ultra, and Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords.

All, except the latter, cost 400 Microsoft Points (GBP 3.40 / EUR 4.80). Puzzle Quest began at a higher price point, and therefore halves to 800 MS Points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.60).

We've asked Microsoft for further clarification on dates. ...

via Gizmodo US


Acidmods just can't get enough of hacking up our console controllers, and now the company has replaced the Wiimote's A button with a clicking trackball (a la Blackberry Pearl). The result is an easier way to scroll through webpages and certain menu systems, as you can see in this video:



However, this trackball was designed to work on more than just the Wii. Acidmods guarantees it for the PSP 300, PSP Slim, DS, Xbox 360 and PS3 controllers.

Unlike most mod demonstrations, Acidmods wants to sell you this actual product. They're not taking orders yet, but they will traditionally sell you the necessary hardware or mod your controller for you at an additional cost. The first link at the end of this post isn't up yet, but it should have purchasing information soon. ...

via Eurogamer


Capcom has warned us that the 1994 Street Fighter film is coming out on Blu-ray.

Street Fighter: Extreme Edition will be out in US shops from 10th February 2009, which is around the same time that new film Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li launches there.

But let's go back to the '90s, when Jean-Claude Van Damme took a starring role as Guile, and Kylie Minogue sprung up as Cammy. By all accounts the live action film was bobbins, but will return in 1080p with 5.1 sound nonetheless, according the Capcom blog.

There are also numerous bonus features: trailers for SF IV game and anime; a Making Of documentary, out-takes and deleted scenes; storyboard and videogame sequences; and miscellaneous Cyberwalk, Archive and My Scenes features.

There's commentary from film director Steven de Souza, too, plus BD Live and My Scenes bits and bobs.

We'll probably buy it. ...

via IGN


The Yakuza 3 battle system has at last come to light. As usual, the source of the scoopage is Famitsu, which has a couple of pages on the big PS3 sequel in its latest issue.

Previously, Sega has revealed that game's battle system will be seamless. Different from past entries in the series, you won't have to wait one bit for battle to start. Famitsu confirms that the game switches right into battle mode as you're walking down the street.

Accompanying the smoother switch to battle is a new type of fighting. Yakuza 3 will feature an all new "chase battle" system. When speaking with foes on the street, they may decide to run away. You'll then be tasked with chasing your fleeing rival. To do this successfully, you need to make sure and not lose sight of the enemy, either visually or on the mini map that's displayed in the bottom left corner of the screen. While running, you'll have to deal with obstacles, leaping over trash cans to keep apace.

Details are scarce at the moment, but the game displays a couple of mysterious gauges during these sequences. One appears to indicate the distance between you and your rival, while the other may show your stamina.

In addition to your rivals running away, you'll also find yourself with the option to flee.

All other areas of the standard battle system appear to be seeing improvements for Yakuza 3. The game has more advanced "heat action" special attacks, including some that make use of nunchaku, apparently an Okinawan specialty (the game takes place partially in Okinawa, in case you haven't been paying attention to the updates). You'll also find a more realistic battle environment, with bystanders stopping or fleeing and your rival's gang members approaching the fight, grabbing Kiryu from behind, and joining in.

Also new for Yakuza 3 is a "tag tournament mode" for the game's fighting arena, an area that lets you face off against powerful enemies. As the name suggests, this mode has Kiryu teaming up with a tag partner for the fight. The two make use of cooperative heat action moves.

Yakuza has always been known for an enjoyable battle system complementing the adult drama, and from the looks of things combat in Yakuza 3 is going to be better than ever! Spring 2009 (in Japan, at least) can't come soon enough! ...

via Engadget


Windows Mobile 6.5 was just a whisper on a Motorola phone chief Sanjay Jha's lips week, but now that Ballmer himself has confirmed that there's at least one more rev of WinMo 6 en route before Windows Mobile 7 hits it looks like the floodgates have opened -- check out these hot screenshots, one of which seems to have been liberally dipped in Zune sauce.

We're hoping that means we'll see some Zune integration with this next generation of handsets, but we're not going to get too worked up yet (cough, Xbox). It does look quite nice, though, and we've got our fingers crossed that this revamp is more than just a pretty new home screen and app launcher -- you're way late to that party, Microsoft. No telling on when 6.5 will actually get here, but Ballms said it'll be sometime next year, so we're guessing we don't have too long to wait. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Nintendo will put out a new version of the the Wii Opera web browser in December with various added features and tweaks, according to reports.

The update, which brings the browser up to version 2.0, will add new buttons (pictured), tab support for up to six tabs at once, and will allow you to view Wii mail from within the browser - so you don't have to quit back to the dashboard.

More interestingly, reports say it also adds support for the new WiiSpeak microphone peripheral which comes out next month (for voice chat over the internet, initially in Animal Crossing). Could this mean we'll get some interesting voice chat features through it?

The browser will continue to cost 500 Wii Points, although those that own the current version will not need to pay to download the new one. ...

via Computer and Video Games


The Elite and Pro editions of the console have experienced the biggest price reductions, dropping AU$100 each with the Elite now retailing at AU$549 and the Pro going for AU$499. The Arcade version has taken a further cut too, dropping from AU$350 to AU$300.

The price cuts come after the benchmark pricecut made 6 months ago; where the 360 Arcade became the cheapest TV Console in the territory. Microsoft says that the Xbox 360 Arcade continues to be the best-selling console in the region.

According to the Austrlian arm of retail giant GAME, the Wii retails for around AU$399 and the 40GB PS3 sells at AU$699.

Microsoft's UK head of gaming, Stephen McGill, had recently said that the 360 will not see a drop in price for "many years" in the UK.

One Australian dollar is worth around $0.66 [US] and £0.43 at the time of writing. ...