via pspfanboy

Not even a Sony fanboy can avoid admitting that the Nintendo DS is selling at a much brisker pace than the PSP. Regardless of our second place position, I still find it interesting to see what Japan thinks of our favorite handheld machine. "What Japan Thinks" has a report from over 7000 Japanese individuals on their gaming habits. Here are some of the highlights:

Only 10.7% of people surveyed have a PSP, compared to Nintendo DS's 32.3%.
14.7% of PSP owners use it every day. (Do you?)
Although both the PSP and DS are portable, the number one place the system is played is at home: 94.2%. Personally, the subway is where I get most of my PSP playing done.
Brain training games are easily the most popular kinds of handheld games, coming in at 54.6%
A shocking number of people have not used any of PSP's non-gaming features: 43.1%
25.2% of surveyed individuals want a PSP in the future, versus the DS's 59.4%.
Only 20.3% of people want a PS3. Only 15% want a Wii. (But 17% want both.)

Make with these numbers what you will. While it may be easy to say that "PSP is t3h d00m3d!!1" I think that a 25% desirability rate is still very high. It's certainly higher than the number of people that wanted Gamecubes or Xboxes, both of which have lived fairly great console lives. Can Sony increase the PSP's desirability by focusing solely on games? Are you like the Japanese: do you not find value in PSP's non-gaming functionality? ...

via ign

In one of the most unsurprising turns of events in recent memory, Ubisoft today announced that Splinter Cell Double Agent would be heading to the PlayStation 3 this spring. The game will see a worldwide launch in March 2007, arriving at the same time the PS3 does in that oft ignored region.

The PS3 version of Double Agent will have added multiplayer maps and skins, as well as support for the motion-sensing capabilities of the SIXAXIS controller in both the game's single and multiplayer modes.

"Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent is already a best-seller and has set a new standard for the Splinter Cell series," said Yves Guillemot, CEO at Ubisoft. "I am sure that Double Agent will prove to be a must-have title for PLAYSTATION 3 system." ...

New release from Scognito


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via dsfanboy

When Chris Kohler starts thinking aloud, panic shoots through the interlaced tubes of the 'net and spreads like a virus. And now look what you've done, Mr. Kohler. You've made the Pokefans cry.

The story: Kohler noticed that in the blitz of press releases regarding Pokemon Diamond and Pearl in the U.S., local multiplayer was mentioned, but not the WiFi play that had Pokemasters everywhere drooling. And lo did the speculation begin -- and a legion of sites leaped onto the bandwagon with full force.

But take heart! Nintendo confirmed to GameLife that WiFi play would in fact be preserved for the U.S. releases of Diamond and Pearl, so everyone is free to take a breath and untangle their twisted knickers, for all is well with the Pokemon. Now all you have to worry about is waiting for April. ...

via dsfanboy

When Chris Kohler starts thinking aloud, panic shoots through the interlaced tubes of the 'net and spreads like a virus. And now look what you've done, Mr. Kohler. You've made the Pokefans cry.

The story: Kohler noticed that in the blitz of press releases regarding Pokemon Diamond and Pearl in the U.S., local multiplayer was mentioned, but not the WiFi play that had Pokemasters everywhere drooling. And lo did the speculation begin -- and a legion of sites leaped onto the bandwagon with full force.

But take heart! Nintendo confirmed to GameLife that WiFi play would in fact be preserved for the U.S. releases of Diamond and Pearl, so everyone is free to take a breath and untangle their twisted knickers, for all is well with the Pokemon. Now all you have to worry about is waiting for April. ...

via dsfanboy

When Chris Kohler starts thinking aloud, panic shoots through the interlaced tubes of the 'net and spreads like a virus. And now look what you've done, Mr. Kohler. You've made the Pokefans cry.

The story: Kohler noticed that in the blitz of press releases regarding Pokemon Diamond and Pearl in the U.S., local multiplayer was mentioned, but not the WiFi play that had Pokemasters everywhere drooling. And lo did the speculation begin -- and a legion of sites leaped onto the bandwagon with full force.

But take heart! Nintendo confirmed to GameLife that WiFi play would in fact be preserved for the U.S. releases of Diamond and Pearl, so everyone is free to take a breath and untangle their twisted knickers, for all is well with the Pokemon. Now all you have to worry about is waiting for April. ...

Andy Balaam has released a new game for the GP2X:


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news via nzherold

Few games consoles have been more sought after than Nintendo's Wii, which sold more than 300,000 units across Europe last weekend alone, forcing parents to turn to eBay in desperation.

But there was a warning yesterday for those inclined to unwrap one of the machines near the Christmas tree: switch off the fairy lights before using it, or you might find it behaving very strangely.

The hazards of operating a Wii when the fairy lights are on were revealed by bloggers, who were puzzled by its odd performance near the tree.

Writing on one users' blog, an owner of a Wii, which has wowed console enthusiasts with its innovative interface, said: "The last couple of days my Wii has been acting weird in not picking up the Wiimote (the console's controller) on the side of the Christmas tree and I could never figure out what was wrong. Well tonight, I turned off the Christmas tree and it fixed my problem."

Nintendo investigated and discovered the gamers had a point.

"In exceptional conditions where the Wii sensor bar is sat near a direct light source there may be some minor interference - this does not mean that there is any fault with your Wii," Nintendo said in a statement yesterday.

"For the best performance of your Wii, avoid bright light sources behind or near the TV, shining towards the Wii remote or reflecting off the TV screen."

Bemused Wii fans, whose machine allows them to control their on-screen actions by waving a remote control in the air rather than using a traditional joystick, are becoming accustomed to unexpected health warnings.

Yesterday's announcement comes days after Wii offered to replace millions of wrist straps for the video game controllers, after dozens of gamers complained of so-called "wiinjuries" caused by losing their grip on the controllers for the new console.

Relishing the chance to join in games simply by imitating the action of a tennis racket, sword or golf club, owners have lost control of heir gizmos, leading to bruised heads and black eyes, not to mention the odd damaged TV set.

"I decided to play the game for bowling," one battered and bruised gamer, Nicole, wrote on Wiihaveaproblem.com.

"I guess I swung really hard to knock down the pins and all of a sudden I realised my head hurt... Instead of it flying wildly into the air, it stopped and swung back around and hit me in the head."

In response, Nintendo offered top take back any of the 0.2m wrist straps in circulation and replace them with something more durable.

It said the fault lay with players failing to follow on-screen guidance to securely strap the device on to their wrists.

But yesterday it was revealed that the company is facing a lawsuit over the alleged "defective nature" of the straps, filed in the US.

Law firm Green Welling LLP, which is bringing the class action, said: "Nintendo's failure to include a remote that is free from defects is in breach of Nintendo's own product warranty."

These problems are not halting the unstoppable rise of Wii, which, contrary to many expectations is outperforming the long-awaited Play Station 3 worldwide.

Rumours were rife yesterday that Wii games based on two Disney titles - "Meet the Robinsons" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" - are under development.

So will the bright light glitches be at an end when the Christmas lights comes down? Yes, says Nintendo, which states that direct lights could only cause interference in "exceptional conditions" and that the console is not affected by lights under normal conditions. ...

news via huliq

Get ready for the ultimate party game extravaganza! Wario Ware: Smooth Moves will have you and your friends competing in a series of wild and wonderful challenges as you use the Wii Remote in ways you would not have imagined possible! Wario Ware: Smooth Moves launches on Wii across Europe on 12th January 2007.

Sequel to the hugely popular Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS games, Wario Ware: Smooth Moves is the latest in the Wario Ware franchise but this time it can make full use of the Wii Remote! Featuring over 200 fast paced and action-packed microgames, players are challenged to hone their reactions and use the Wii Remote in an array of wonderful and wacky ways.

Twisting the Wii Remote this way and that, players must master positioning and movement of the controller to complete the challenges set. From the simple ‘Remote Control’ position to ‘The Elephant’ or ‘The Samurai’, manipulation of the Wii Remote is a must to complete one task and move on to the next. With the time available to complete the challenge getting shorter and shorter, accuracy is all important!

Each game only lasts a few seconds and requires the player to perform bizarre actions with the Wii Remote, such as sautéing vegetables, hula hooping (by holding the Wii Remote against your hip) and even slotting Grandma’s teeth into her mouth! Beware though, it’s not as easy as you may think! Humorous details fill the screen to simultaneously entertain and distract the player. Some recognisable faces will also make appearances from classic games such as Super Mario Bros, Nintendogs and Metroid Prime.

In single player mode, players travel around a map of Diamond City, selecting one of the characters to follow their wacky adventures. Each character will introduce the player to a new type of gameplay and a different family of microgames. The cast includes familiar faces from the Wario Ware series such as Wario and Mona, as well as new faces like Young Cricket the Kung-Fu Trainee. Once inside the microgame, players follow their chosen character’s story and complete a variety of mini tasks. If they are successful in fulfilling all the tasks, additional mini game adventures and multiplayer options featuring the Smooth Moves’ colourful cast are unlocked to enjoy.

Several multiplayer modes are available for selection in this game, allowing up to 12 people to play at once with just one controller. For example, in Survival mode up to 12 people can take up the Smooth Moves challenge where one wrong move eliminates them from the game - it’s truly the survival of the fittest! Go head to head in Star Nose where one player uses the Wii Remote and the other the Nunchuk to fly a nose-shaped spaceship along a corridor, making sure not to touch a single wall or obstacle. Five other exciting multiplayer games are available to play, including Darts, Lifeline, Balloon, Bomb and Bungee Buddies. No matter what your mood there will be a multiplayer game to entertain you and with 12 save slots available Wario Ware: Smooth Moves is the perfect title to play with your friends and family.

January 2007 at an estimated retail price of around 49 Euros (approximately £34 in the UK). The Wii console is available at the estimated retail price of around €249 (£179 in the UK). Included with every Wii console is one wireless Wii Remote, a Nunchuk, Wii Sports game, Stereo AV Cable and the sensor bar for Wii’s unique control system.

By Nintendo ...