via Games Industry


The Nintendo DS capped an excellent year in Japan with a strong flourish in the last two weeks of 2007, with sales of the hardware falling just shy of 500,000 units.

That compares, according to the latest data from Media Create, with the Wii which sold 385,000 and the PlayStation Portable which sold 332,000 in the same time frame.

While sales overall slowed from the previous week, the week ending December 30 still saw above average sales of consoles, with the PlayStation 3 now firmly outselling the PlayStation 2 - albeit with numbers around a third that of the Wii.

The Xbox 360 continued to lag far behind its rivals, despite picking up moderately in recent months, and broke the 500,000 units barrier right at the end of 2007.

Hardware sales for the week ending December 30 are as follows:

1. Nintendo DS: 218,894
2. PlayStation Portable: 161,370
3. Nintendo Wii: 152,209
4. PlayStation 3: 52,706
5. PlayStation 2: 25,569
6. Xbox 360: 8,304 ...

via Computer and Video Games


Those all-knowing industry analysts have peered into their crystal balls to see a bright future for PS3 following Warner Bros.' decision to go Blu-ray exclusive.

The move by the film-making giant puts Blu-ray, Sony's HD format, in good stead to win its long-lasting format war with the Microsoft-backed HD-DVD format, and that's ultimately great news for PS3, say analysts.

Mike Hickey of Janco Partners said: "We expect Sony's PS3 product will benefit from an eventual consumer and retail awakening of Blu-ray as the winning high definition format."

He added: "If Blu-ray can win the current format war, the true value of the PS3 can be unlocked, and will likely lead to an acceleration of PS3 sales."

Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities was equally as optimistic about PS3's future, pointing at HDTV penetration as another crucial turning point for Sony. Noting that the PS2's success was helped by it being a popular DVD player, Patcher predicts the same of PS3 with it's Blu-ray playback.

"The difference this time is that you can't enjoy the full experience unless you have a 1080p TV, and we are still below 10 percent penetration," Patcher notes. "I think as overall HDTV penetration crosses 50 percent of households (probably late this year), Blu-ray will become more relevant, and PS3 will have an advantage," he told GameDaily. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Konami has confirmed earlier reports that Metal Gear Solid 4 will indeed come packaged with the multiplayer spin-off title, Metal Gear Online, but it will only be a starter pack.

We have an online component called a 'starter pack' that's shipping with Metal Gear 4," Konami told GameSpot, before confirming that downloadable content will be released following MGS4's release.

Exactly how much of the game would be in this starter pack went undisclosed, but in PSN terms 'starter pack' basically means it'll be a demo, with the main bulk of the game likely to come as a standalone purchase via the online PSN Store.

Konami promises more info on the deal soon. ...

via Games Industry


Japan has announced that it is to discontinue the 20GB and 60GB PlayStation 3 skus after a final shipment in January.

The company said that it now intends to concentrate on the 40GB model in the region as it "vigorously promotes" the home console during 2008.

Both 20GB and 60GB models were launched in Japan in November 2006, with the 40GB model launching in November last year.

Sony has continuously changed prices and introduced new models of the PlayStation 3 across Europe, the US and Japan since launching the console in each region.

Last October Sony Europe dropped the price of the 60GB console and introduced a 40GB model, before revealing it would phase out the 60GB sku all together.

In North America Sony launched a 80GB PlayStation 3 last August, and slashed the price of the 60GB model.

The 40GB PS3 has a few less features than the higher-spec models, most notably the loss of backwards compatibility with PlayStation 2 titles.

The 40GB model is known to be cheaper to produce for Sony. Kaz Hirai noted earlier this week that he hopes the company's PlayStation business will become profitable in the next fiscal year, now that costs are being reduced at a manufacturing level. ...

via Eurogamer


Those of you with sneaky eyes will have noticed two fresh samplers for Yakuza 3 on the Japanese PlayStation Store.

The game is called Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 in those reaches of the world and you can get at it by creating a Japanese account claiming you live there and enjoy it very much.

According to our cherished forum-goer disc, the first and biggest of the two is a narrative taster at 960MB. Here you can amble around fetching some bits and pieces for quests, as well as draw a picture to unlock a new finishing move. You should also get into a couple of scrapes and enjoy some swanky cut-scenes.

The other demo is collection of mini-games: one has you trying to win the affection of a Geisha, another riding on horseback while shooting things and avoiding obstacles, while the last focuses on arena combat against a varied range of opponents.

So far Yakuza 3 is only confirmed for Japan, although SEGA recently confirmed the second game in the series would make its way to the US.

Meanwhile, us Europeans have only been treated to the first third-person action title, missing out on the other two due to poor western sales.

Pop over to our Yakuza 3 gamepage for a spattering of videos, or slice into our Yakuza 1 review to see what's what. ...

via Computer and Video Games


More screenshots of the promising Populous port have just been released, revealing a remarkably faithful recreation of the PC version.

Originally released on the PC in 1989, Populous was a massive success and is regarded by many as beginning of the god game genre.

Players assumed control of a deity and were tasked with the duties of shepherding civilisation by direction, manipulation and divine intervention.

Unfortunately, those wanting to indulge their megalomaniac sides will have to look to their favourite import store, as Populous DS is still tapped to be a Japanese only release. Still, we can dream. Or import.


Screenshots ...

via Computer and Video Games


More screenshots of the promising Populous port have just been released, revealing a remarkably faithful recreation of the PC version.

Originally released on the PC in 1989, Populous was a massive success and is regarded by many as beginning of the god game genre.

Players assumed control of a deity and were tasked with the duties of shepherding civilisation by direction, manipulation and divine intervention.

Unfortunately, those wanting to indulge their megalomaniac sides will have to look to their favourite import store, as Populous DS is still tapped to be a Japanese only release. Still, we can dream. Or import.


Screenshots ...

via Computer and Video Games


A recent US Patent hints that Bioware's upcoming RPG may be called 'Sonic Chronicles', it has emerged.

There is little information other than a filing for the name by Sega, and the connection to the unnamed role-playing game is based purely on the lack of new announced Sonic games in the pipeline.

The name has also been used by blogger and tipster Surfer Girl, who has decried the game to be the most inspired game in the Sonic franchise in years. Given some of the mediocre offerings in the franchise as of late, this comes as little surprise.

In related news, Sega has also filed a patent on something known as The Dark Brotherhood, a title which Surfer Girl claims is an action-RPG. Our money is going on it being the unannounced Sega project from Obsidian.

As a sidenote, we happen to think Sonic Chronicles and The Dark Brotherhood are some of the most uninspired titles we've heard in quite a while. ...

via Computer and Video Games


A recent US Patent hints that Bioware's upcoming RPG may be called 'Sonic Chronicles', it has emerged.

There is little information other than a filing for the name by Sega, and the connection to the unnamed role-playing game is based purely on the lack of new announced Sonic games in the pipeline.

The name has also been used by blogger and tipster Surfer Girl, who has decried the game to be the most inspired game in the Sonic franchise in years. Given some of the mediocre offerings in the franchise as of late, this comes as little surprise.

In related news, Sega has also filed a patent on something known as The Dark Brotherhood, a title which Surfer Girl claims is an action-RPG. Our money is going on it being the unannounced Sega project from Obsidian.

As a sidenote, we happen to think Sonic Chronicles and The Dark Brotherhood are some of the most uninspired titles we've heard in quite a while. ...