via Games Industry


Nintendo has remained quiet about whether it will fix compatibility problems with third-party software Freeloader, after yesterday's Wii firmware update rendered it unusable.

The company reiterated to our sister site Eurogamer.net that because it isn't an official product approved by Nintendo, there was nothing it could do.

The Datel disc was originally manufactured for the GameCube, and allowed users to import titles from Japan or the US and play them on their PAL console.

Until yesterday, the software had the same effect on backwards-compatible GameCube games played on Wii. ...

via Games Industry


Following yesterday's news that Microsoft slashed the price points of all of its Xbox 360 consoles in the US, there's more good news for North American consumers in the form of a cut in Canada as well.

The new pricing structure is fairly straightforward, with the Elite now costing CAD 499.99, the Premium weighing in at CAD 399.99 and the Core dropping to CAD 299.99, and it's been timed to coincide with the launch of the latest EA Madden title.

The Halo 3 Xbox 360 will retail in the region for CAD 449.99 and will hit the shelves there in September.

This move will add further weight to the calls from fans for a price drop in Europe, despite Microsoft's continued insistence that no move is planned. ...

via Games Industry


An advertisement for the PlayStation 3, which prompted several complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority, has been banned by the watchdog.

The ad, which featured a character called Kovac holding a knife and a gun, contained text which read "You on my side? Listen up I've killed for less, the music plays Puccini in my head."

The complaints protested that the images, taken together with the text, sent out an inappropriate message to young people.

Sony's agency, TBWA, responded by saying that the ad was targeted at an adult audience, and that it wasn't intended to "represent, nor describe, socially acceptable or aspirational behaviour."

However, the ASA agreed with complainants on the issue, stating that it felt it "could be seen to condone or glamorise violence or anti-social behaviour," and has asked Sony to amend future ads accordingly.

Several other complaints, directed at a number of additional internet ads, a television ad and also one in the national press, were not upheld. ...

via Nintendo DS Fanboy


Want a little Mega Man in your life? We sure hope so if you're looking for a new game this week, because it seems that's what there is. And perhaps Pet Alien, which didn't seem to make it out last week.

United States

• Mega Man Star Force Dragon
• Mega Man Star Force Leo
• Mega Man Star Force Pegasus
• Pet Alien

Europe

• Top Trumps: Dogs and Dinosaurs

Japan

• 1500DS Spirits Vol. 1: Mahjong
• 1500DS Spirits Vol. 2: Shogi
• 1500DS Spirits Vol. 3: Block Kuzushi
• 1500DS Spirits Vol. 4: Reversi
• 1500DS Spirits Vol. 5: Hanafuda
• Akagi DS
• Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber
• DS ga Tehodoki! Hannya Shingyou Nyuumon
• Eijukugo Target 1000 DS
• Eitango Target 1900 DS II
• I Love Dolphin
• Itsuwari no Rinbukyoku
• Machi no Pet-Ya-San DS
• Minagara Oreru DS Origami
• SD Gundam G Generation: Cross Drive
• Simple 1500 Series Vol. 20: The Senkan
• Wantame Uranai Channel
• Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters GX Card Almanac

Australia

• Ratatouille
• Settlers 2: 10th Anniversary

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via Xbox 360 Fanboy


We're sure last week's 300 HD DVD visual feast is still holding your attention with its pretty visuals, manly grunts and overall awesomeness. But, it's a new week and that means we have a few new HD DVDs available for purchase, brand new releases at that. This week there are two simultaneous DVD/HD DVD movies coming out with both Disturbia and TMNT hitting retailers tomorrow. And all we can say is that ninja trained turtles and Shia LaBeouf's acting chops both rock!

Run along now and enjoy all the new HD DVD content that has been released these past few weeks. Trust us, your eyes will thank you.

HD DVD Movie Releases: August 7th

• Disturbia
• TMNT

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via Nintendo Wii Fanboy


Filipino site GameOPS found that pirates are up to their old tricks again, copying GameCube games onto DVD discs and packaging them as Wii releases. Titles like Luigi's Mansion, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition are advertised with new covers that've been rebranded with Wii logos and boxart elements. Unlike official GameCube-to-Wii ports, these don't even feature tacked-on waggle controls!

When asked about the "Wii" copy of Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes on display at ShopesVille, a department store in Manila's Greenhills Shopping Center, one of the salesladies explained that it's the same Metal Gear Solid release as the upcoming PS3 game. We bet that all the people who argued about the Wii not being able to handle next-gen graphics feel a bit silly now! Check past the break for a couple more photos of the counterfeit case jackets.


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via Computer and Video Games


The latest entry in the free-roaming blast-em-genre has been revealed in the pages of UK Official Xbox Magazine.

Dubbed Prototype, and from Scarface dev Radical, it'll put you in the demented shoes of Alex Mercer, a genetically engineered hoody who can, among other things, slash baddies in half and climb up the side of skyscrapers.

Put him in the middle of a bustling New York (we're already debating in the office whether it's prettier than GTA IV's Liberty City) where a human-mutating virus has caused a battle between mutants and the military, and you've got something that's a bit like Crackdown meets The Darkness.

Vivendi is wheeling out the "living, breathing world" line for Prototype's version of New York, although we have to say the amount of NPCs visible in the screenshots is ridiculous.

If they can actually manage to put some decent AI on Prototype's pedestrians, it'll at least be very impressive technologically.

Alex's big bag of tricks include super-human strength, the ability to cover himself in scale-like shields and the ability to send matter through the ground, impaling baddies on giant spikes.

He can also shape shift into the identity of his victims, which OXM notes can be used to take the guise of an army officer and call in air strikes.

It's still a ways off (it's currently penned for winter 2008), but if Radical can emulate the freedom and outright fun factor of Crackdown, it could be on for a winner. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Microsoft has responded to an experts' evaluation of the Xbox 360's heat problems, in which a major design flaw is claimed.

The evaluation, carried out by Japanese news source Nikkei, had a thermo design expert analyze the 360's heat radiation system. The test found that a flaw in Xbox 360's design means that it could achieve temperatures of over 100 degrees in the summer (that's hot enough to make a cup of tea).

The expert pointed out that, "the heat sink on the graphics LSI is so small, I wonder if it can really cool down the board." Apparently, Microsoft downsized the graphics LSI heat sink so that the DVD drive could be placed on top.

Worryingly, as well as a launch console Nikkei also tested a machine repaired in May 2007, and the heat sink was still the same downsized unit.

Responding to the report, a Microsoft spokesperson told CVG, "There is no single root cause or systemic issue with any of the Xbox 360 consoles."

With such a complex consumer electronic product that contains more than 1700 different components and 500 million transistors, there are obviously many things that can malfunction at any given time. The vast majority of customers who own Xbox 360 consoles continue to have a terrific experience. "As Microsoft didn't participate in the test, we cannot comment on any findings."

It'll be interesting to see if PS3s then, which also have plenty of transistors and technical innards, start breaking down in the same quantity as Xbox 360s. In the meantime, we're keeping an extra fan on our consoles until the autumn arrives. ...

via Computer and Video Games


It all started when Dead or Alive mastermind Tomonobu Itagaki started talking about Sony's PS3 stunner, Heavenly Sword...

He may have a point but we didn't have a problem with those similar action sequences in the mighty God of War games. In fact, we kind of liked them...

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