All right people, Dark_Alex has done it again and released 3.90 M33 for the PSP. As it seems, it did not take him long to crank out this update. You can download it here or use network update on a 3.80 M33 enabled PSP. The full changelog and readme is as follows below:


3.90 M33

--------

Requirements:

• Installation requires a PSP with 3.52 M33-3 or higher.

Instructions

• Copy the UPDATE folder into /PSP/GAME/
• Get the 3.90 sony update from somewhere, and put it in same folder, with name "390.PBP". Alternatively, you can let the installer to download for you via wifi.
• Run it, the update will be done by Sony updater. At the end when you are asked to reboot the
• PSP pressing X or O, do it.

Changes:

• 3.80 -> 3.90
• March33 NO UMD: fixed (yet another) bug related with exiting with home. (infinite semaphore wait)

Changes in updater:

• The degeneration check and correction of IDS keys happens too in 3.71 now.
• Added code to download 3.90 PBP from net via wifi. Note that his code is not yet 100% stable, it may crash when selecting AP. In that case, reinit the installer.
• L+triangle has been restored as method to bypass battery. If you already have 390.PBP keep those buttons pressed until you see "Veryfing 390.PBP". If the 390.PBP is being downloaded bia wifi, press those buttons at the end of download until you see the previous sentence.

Download and leave feedback via comments. Keep up the great work Dark_Alex! ...

via Kotaku


GamePro tested all the latest wireless controllers to discover which had the best battery life, the Xbox 360 pad, the Wiimote or the SIXAXIS. After playing a variety of titles, they found that the Xbox 360 controller's battery life of 56 hours and 56 minutes bested the 36 hours and 43 minutes of the Wiimote and the 18 hours and 41 minutes of the SIXAXIS.

If the numbers appear tough to swallow, that's only because they are. Not to insult GamePro's testing methods, but our readers should know that one attempt at a control skewed these results in a major way.

In order to offer each console a fighting chance, testers installed nickel cadmium Duracell batteries...minus the SIXAXIS, which has Lithium Ion built right in.

The problem here is that NiCd batteries will get far superior runtime over their Li-on counterparts because NiCd has a higher energy to weight ratio. From Wikipedia:


So Sony's controller never had a chance. But the numbers are still pretty interesting if you siphon away the contest aspect. ...

Go to the link here for payments, prices and places to ship.


Info:

The product consists of the game cartridge, color instruction manual and plastic clamshell case - highest quality guaranteed! The instruction manual is a beautiful 27-pages full of helpful information about the game, accented by wonderful, full-color images and artwork. We have had each piece professionally produced from scratch: In other words, no recycled game cases or boxes have been used. We're talking 100% brand-new cartridges and boxes! Our goal was to re-create the authentic Sega Genesis-Megadrive gaming experience that dedicated fans are accustomed to, and the results will truly surprise and excite you!

Beggar Prince will play in any NTSC or PAL Sega Genesis / Megadrive system, including all compatible systems such as the Nomad, 32X, CDX, X'Eye, Laseractive, etc. Saving and loading your progress via SRAM battery is also supported on all systems.

Once your payment has been received, your order will be shipped as soon as possible, in the order in which it was received. Please be patient, as we are a small company with a busy schedule. We have made it easy for you to place your order by offering two different payment options: PayPal or money order. To inquire about additional or special payment or shipping considerations, please contact us by e-mail. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Mario man Shigeru Miyamoto has delved into Nintendo's past to discuss where the company might be going in the future.

Frank and honest in his answers, Miyamoto criticised the GameCube controller and how his ambivalence towards it made him consider the problems in the gaming industry in general.


Miyamoto went on to explain the two main ideas behind the DS. "The first was something Mom won't hate," he said.


Miyamoto also tackled questions about the Wii Fit peripheral, saying, "If it continues to gain popularity overseas, that's something I look forward to, since it means more Wii Balance Board titles might come out."

Finally, he hinted at where he sees the DS going in the future. "Once people can use it in a wide range of public places, we could probably set up servers and create a good environment that links together play at home and play on the go-then work game technology into that.

...

via Engadget




Usually we spot console modders adding a few LEDs to their boxen, squeezing in some extra memory or perhaps even changing a form factor altogether, but it's rare to see these hackers actually hack in some original functionality.

Cyberpyrot over at Acid Mods is taking this whole modding business to a whole new level with his voice recognition controller for the Xbox 360, which involves some heavy hacking and a bit of hardware kit wizardry to let you control teh Halos with merely the silky smooth sound of your voice.

The mod is ostensibly designed to help out the mobility impaired, but we all know it's going to be primarily used by slothful nerds (you know, those "purists" that didn't pick up a Wii) who have decided that even repetitive finger motions are too much of an effort. The current mod can handle 10 different voice commands, check out a video of it in action after the break.


More information and videos at Acidmods ...

via Joystiq


According to X3F, who heard it from Megatonik, who saw it on ScoreHero, who cribbed it from scans on GameFaqs, OXM like totally printed all the Rock Band DLC for March in its new issue. We've confirmed the tracks are revealed in an advertisement for Xbox Live that was placed by Microsoft. There's no mention of prices, but if March releases follow the general trend, it should be 440 MS points ($5.50) for a pack and 160 MS point ($2) for a single song.

Week of March 4: Thrash Pack

• Blinded By Fear - At The Gates
• Thrasher - Evile
• Shadow World - Haunted

Week of March 11:

• Shooting Star - Bad Company *Cover*
• Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Message In A Bottle - Police

Week of March 18: Nine Inch Nails Pack

• March Of The Pigs
• The Collector
• The Perfect Drug

Week of Mar. 25: Metal Pack

• Wrathchild - Ironmaiden *Cover*
• Supernaut - Black Sabbath *Cover*
• Fuel - Metallica

That's great ... now about February? ...

Via: worthplaying.com

Posted on Thursday, January 31 @ 09:07:47 PST

Developed by the creative team behind PaRappa the Rapper Masaya Matsuura and New York artist Rodney Alan Greenblat, Major Minor’s Majestic March turns the Wiimote into a “special” baton that the bandleader, Major Minor, uses to keep tempo, recruit new band members and pick up valuable items.


Major Minor’s Majestic March turns the Wii Remote into a “special” baton that the bandleader, Major Minor, uses to keep tempo, recruit new band members and pick up valuable items. While marching through eight whimsical locations that contain various hair-raising events, Major Minor strives to create the most impressive parade ever. Players can add up to 15 different instruments to their dynamic procession—including brass, woodwinds, and percussion—to alter its composition and resulting performance. Players are scored on how well their band maintains its rhythm and manages obstacles that could otherwise throw the procession into disarray. The band keeps tempo to more than 25 popular marching band songs from around the world, composed into original medleys for each stage.

In a town where marching bands are prevalent and everyone is looking to be the best, Major Mike Minor is fairly ambivalent towards marches despite hailing from a long line of illustrious Drum Majors. After his parents present him with a “special” baton that magically attracts band members to fall into rhythm behind the leader, will Major Minor finally fulfill his potential and share the joy of marching with the world?

“There’s something magical about marching bands that truly captures the imagination. The concept of leading a virtual band that’s reliant on your musicianship is a perfect fit for the interactive capabilities of Wii,” said John Merchant, Marketing Manager, Majesco Europe. “The combined musical and artistic superiority of Matsuura and Greenblat make them a natural choice to deliver this innovative title exclusively to the Wii audience.”

Features

* Major Minor’s Majestic March marks the return of the creative team behind the renowned PaRappa the Rapper franchise-legendary game designer and multimedia musician Masaya Matsuura and famed New York artist Rodney Alan Greenblat.
* Your Wii Remote is Major Minor’s “special” bandleader baton, used to keep tempo, recruit new band members and pick-up valuable items. If your rhythm is unstable confusion will result; band members will drop out and you could ultimately fail the stage.
* March in 8 different whimsical locations that contain various hair-raising events. Use your best efforts to create the most impressive parade ever whilst nimbly avoiding obstacles.
Add 15 different instruments to your procession, from brass to woodwinds to percussion.
* As the makeup of the band changes, so does the performance; it all depends on which members you select! Try different combinations each time you play.
* Numerous modes of play.
* March and keep tempo to more than 30 well-known marching band tunes from around the world, composed into original medleys for each unique stage.
* Dazzle the crowd with your incredible baton-twirling displays during brief intermissions. ...

Via: Joystiq

Sure, everyone loves activating star power and wailing on the whammy bar in Guitar Hero. But for a certain, incredibly anal subset of players, these actions and their distracting arm movements represent potential streak killers. Well, those finicky gamers are in luck, because peripheral maker React has now released a foot pedal that transfers those pesky arm motions to your feet, which were just sitting there tapping out a rhythm before.

The wireless pedals, which require 4 AA batteries and work with any PS2 guitar, might seem steep at $25, but they're a bargain for the truly compulsive GH player. As the sole Best Buy reviewer put it, "I bought this pedal primarily because activating Star Power by raising my guitar usually results in missed notes." And was we all know, rock music is about exacting precision above all else. ...

via Eurogamer


Poker Smash will be the next game released on Xbox Live Arcade, developer Void Star Creations has revealed on its website.

Due out on 6th February, and reportedly set to cost 800 Microsoft Points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.60), Poker Smash is a poker-themed puzzle game.

But what does that mean, Internet? Apparently it sees cards moving up the screen in a Tetris-style play area, which you can dispose of by matching them into poker hands like flush, straight, four-of-a-kind, etc.

You're right, that actually sounds a lot more interesting than just another poker game - after all, we've already got Texas Hold 'em for that.

Look out for our review of Poker Smash around this time next week, and don't forget that we're also expecting Lode Runner and Brain Challenge in the near future. ...