via Joystiq


You've realized that they're just picking them at random now, haven't you? Unless the theme this week is "Games With Vowels in the Title," we honestly don't know what the unifier could be. It's OK though, Nintendo, we're more concerned about the games than the themes.

Pokémon Snap (Nintendo 64, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points): We've long been morally opposed to the whole Pokemon craze. We just can't condone beating animals senseless, locking them in prisons that are 1/10 their size and then forcing them to repeat the cycle of violence. We guess we're OK with Pokemon Snap though, which asks only that you take pictures of the little critters. Also, remember that this version has new Wii features.

Baseball Stars 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points): We're not familiar with Baseball Stars 2, but everything we've read about the game appears to be pretty positive. We only wish the Wii functionality could have trickled down here for all the big-screen TV-smashing action that we crave.

Ghosts'n Goblins (NES, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): Ghosts'n Goblins is the kind of difficult that other difficult games tell their children about to scare them into behaving. It's a classic, sure, but it's also enough to make you put your fist through a wall. We're sure it's fun if you're really good at it but let's be honest ... you aren't, are you? ...

via Computer and Video Games


Turn 10's previously announced download content has hit Xbox Live, giving virtual racers a new course and a selection of sweet new motors to drive.

The Road America Track Pack contains one new course (called Road America, funnily enough), based on the real course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where Champ Car and American Le Mans series races apparently take place. It's 100 MS Points (85p) for that.

The December car pack will hook you up with a bunch of new super cars, including the R8 Audi Sport Quattro, BMW Motorsport M3 E30, Ferrari 599 GTB, Fiorano Ferrari FXX, Koenigsegg CCGT, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Pontiac Trans Am SD-455, Porsche 911 GT1 (996) and the rubbish Renault 5 Turbo Renault Clio Renaultsport 197. We're guessing that last one is made by Renault - just a guess.

That lot will cost you 400 MS Points (roughly £3.40), but if you're a cheap skate and like playing with rubbish cars in games where you could be driving Ferraris, then you can grab the Renault 5 Turbo for free in a separate Renault Clio 197 pack. ...

via Gizmodo


Lee's description of "Low-Cost Multi-point Interactive Whiteboards Using the Wiimote" may sound boring, but it's actually a very cool and very innovative use of the Wiimote. Since you can hook the controller up to your computer and accept inputs using the Wiimote library interface, you can use its infrared sensors to detect and track infrared light on any kind of surface. With Johnny's app, you can in turn use a cheap DIY IR pen as an input device and make your own whiteboard/input tablet. You should watch the video to see more, but this thing looks really exciting.


...

via Engadget


We've already seen a microphone rigged for use with the iPod touch, and it now looks like that hack could soon be about to get a whole lot more useful, as the iPod Touch Mods blog is reporting that an enterprising individual known only as "eok" has manged to get VoIP working on the device.

According to the blog, eok used the SIP-based SvSIP application originally developed for the Nintendo DS as the basis for the hack, although there's unfortunately few other details at the moment, let alone the recompiled version of the app itself, or even a screenshot of it in action. Given the history of these things, however, we wouldn't expect it to take too long for those tidbits to trickle out, assuming the hack lives up to its promise, that is. ...

via IGN


Following the British Board of Film Classification's rejection of Rockstar's controversial horror sequel Manhunt 2, the Video Appeals Committee has ruled in favour of the publisher's right to release the game in the UK, with a majority vote of four to three.

Previously, the BBFC had rejected both uncut and reworked submissions of the game for certification, effectively banning the game from sale in this country. Speaking to IGN, a Rockstar spokesperson was unable to confirm which version we can expect to see in stores if and when the title finally receives its long-awaited UK release. However, despite Rockstar's successful appeal, it's still possible the BBFC may decide to appeal the VAC's verdict, although the organization intends to review the full report before taking any further action.

Following news of the victory, Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick commented, "We are committed to making great interactive entertainment, while also marketing our products responsibly and supporting an effective rating system. We are pleased that the decision of the VAC has recognised that Manhunt 2 is well within the bounds established by other 18+ rated entertainment".

Meanwhile, David Cooke, director of the BBFC noted, "The BBFC twice rejected Manhunt 2 for its focus on varied and cumulative killings. We recognise that rejection is a very serious step, in which the desire of publishers to market their games, and that of gamers to buy them, must be balanced against the public interest, including the full range of possible harm risks to vulnerable individuals and to any children who may be wrongly exposed to such games. Such balancing judgements are inevitably complex and multi-faceted, and are made only after very careful consideration of the contents of a work. We played Manhunt 2 for well over 30 hours prior to our decision.


Cooke also revealed, "The BBFC will carefully study the judgement by the Video Appeals Committee when it becomes available." ...

via Eurogamer


Rising Star Games has confirmed reports that the European version of No More Heroes will be based on the censored Japanese version.


No More Heroes is the latest game from Killer 7 director Goichi Suda, and is typically violent, starring an otaku who becomes an assassin and has to climb a sort of assassin leaderboard.

In the US, that violence is preserved by publisher Ubisoft, but in Japan and Europe that's not going to be the case. Unless we all shout at Rising Star about it, presumably.

Still, if you do want some gore, you could always watch the Machine Girl trailer. TEMPURA!

Check out our No More Heroes gamepage for trailers. The full game is due out on 29th February 2008. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Bungie is revamping Halo 3 playlists to coincide with the release of the Heroic Map Pack download content tomorrow.

In its latest update the developer explains, "This playlist is going to include a playlist specifically for the new Heroic DLC maps (so that early adopters can get their fix in), as well as incorporating those maps into the general playlists".

In continues, "In addition, we're reasonably sure that variety updates to almost all of the playlists will be included. This includes some long requested BR Start variants, wider map selection in the Ranked playlists, and a couple of map variants that we're going to try in BTB to start with.


What that "more in mind" equates to is a second update due December 18 that'll include the Team Hardcore playlist. Further details on this are to be released in due course but Bungie has said it's "trying to stay true to Halo 2's THC playlist, which means nothing crazy, but a solid variety."

"In addition," the dev adds, "the current plan includes an overhaul for Team Objective. This playlist will henceforth be focused on CTF (both One Flag and Multi Flag variants, as has been frequently requested) and Assault (One Bomb, Multi Bomb, and Neutral Bomb) variants. VIP is out, until we have some time to bang on it and get something we're happy with."

It goes on the explain that it's introducing Team Control playlist - "which is based on zone control gametypes like Territories, Land Grab, and a little bit of Team King" - and that early in the New Year a Ranked BTB (Big Team Battle) playlist will be introduced. ...

via Computer and Video Games


The creators of the cute and quirky rhythm action game PaRappa the Rapper have joined forces with Majesco to create a Wii game.

Details are extremely thin on the ground, but we do know that - probably unsurprisingly - the title from Masaya Matsuura and Rodney Alan Greenblat will be a music-based videogame.

Built from the ground up for Nintendo's console, it's due out in late 2008.

Masaya Matsuura has spoken of creating a game "that is conceptually unique and, above all else, fun".

"We... believe our game shares the same broad mass market appeal as successful music-based products like Activision's Guitar Hero and MTV's Rock Band", Majesco CEO Jesse Sutton has added. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Sony's PS3 might be struggling to out-punch rivals Wii and Xbox 360 on shop shelves currently, but the next four years will see it biting Wii's heels.

A Screen Digest analysis of console trends has the ridiculously popular Wii out top by 2011 with around 75 million units worldwide, but it puts PS3 in a very, very close second place.

Xbox 360 by the same year, meanwhile, will have a 40 million worldwide unit penetration, leaving it looking longingly at rivals.

Wii is proving so popular this Christmas that Nintendo has reportedly been moved to pull adverts for the console and will replace them with ones for DS instead.

We'll see you back here in 2010 then to see who's right. ...