News from Lik Sang

Well the day of 666 didn't bring the world to a fiery explosive end after all, and to celebrate the fact we're all living on, this week we have one NDS title to help beef up your brain and keep those neurons pumping for many, many years to come, then one PSP port of a unique rhythm based game that gained a cult following on the PS2, but which everyone should experience before dying.

Just before getting to those though, recently in our Wii Price Hint News we included a poll from Japan's Famitsu magazine asking which hardware are gamers most looking forward to next. The results were 68.8% for Wii, 21% for PS3, 7.2% for Xbox 360 and 3% for the NDS. Joystiq on the other hand have been conducting their own global poll asking which next gen systems gamers aim to own, including a combo of multiple consoles. 30,000 votes later and the results are in...

...

Nintendo executive Katsuya Eguchi has revealed that the Wii version of Animal Crossing may allow you to send messages to fellow players via your PC and mobile phone.

In an interview with Kikizo, Eguchi confirmed that the Wii Connect 24 service will ensure that your console is online all the time, allowing for all sorts of exciting possibilities.

"With the example of Animal Crossing, one of the things that might be possible is while the player isn't even actively playing in their town, a friend of theirs could come and visit their town and, for instance, leave them a letter or a gift," he explained.

Advertisement
"Another application might be someone could send a letter from their cellphone or from an email address on a PC to the Wii, and then the player living in the town in Animal Crossing could receive that letter."

The Wii will most likely use a Friend Codes system so you can communicate with other players, according to Eguchi, although you won't necessarily be able to use your current DS code: "There probably will be Friend Codes for the Wii version, however we're not so sure about compatibility. So it's most likely that everyone will be using new codes."

Eguchi went on to discuss the Wii's remote controller and the possibilities for producing a range of add-ons, such as the light gun prototype that was on show at E3.

"I could give you my ideas of [Wii controller attachments] that are possible, but that might end up becoming a product, so right now I can't really say," Eguchi stated.

"Of course, if software calls for a light gun, we'll make a light gun. If the software requires a guitar, then maybe we'll make a guitar. Our number one priority is always to provide the ultimate gameplay experience, so if the game requires a peripheral, then we'll supply a peripheral."

As for the debate over whether Sony nicked Nintendo's idea for a motion-sensing controller - well, Eguchi's not convinced they're all that similar.

"There's a significant difference between the Wii controller and the PS3 controller. If we're just talking about the motion sensor, with the Wii there are two parts to the controller - each hand can move freely.

"But with the PS3 controller, both of your hands are kind of stuck, and I get the feeling that will limit freedom of movement."

Hmm. Anyway, Guitar Hero Wii, anyone?

Via Eurogamer ...

Yep, it's the 30GB iPod (with video) as we all know and love or loathe it, but now it's back U2 Special Edition with that signature red click-wheel (unlike the "traditional" all black model). Just in case the gimmick's worn off now that the pent up demand for black iPods have been met, though, and it also has a metal posterior, and comes with a special iTunes Music Store coupon redeemable for a 30-minute video of music videos and band interviews. So let's review: red click-wheel, black metal back, "free" 30 minute U2 video -- you pay $30 more than the regular 30GB iPod ($329 as opposed to $299). What a steal. Ahem.

Via Engadget ...

Close on the heels of their exit from the DVD recorder market, Pioneer has announced that their line of Blu-ray players, which were originally slated for a May release, will be delayed until sometime "this autumn." The company didn't announce exactly what's holding them back, but we wouldn't rule out lack of content as at least part of the cause. Don't worry Pioneer, we still love you for your BDR-101A, but for right now we have to go sit and stare longingly at the online manual for Samsung's upcoming BD-P1000.

Via Engadget ...

New from Divineo USA:



Long lasting colored flourescent bulb glows beautifully inside your case. This unit plugs conveniently right into the internal xbox power. No soldering is required. Standard configuration has light turn on and off with xbox.

Installation requires removal of internal metal shield, clearing of OEM jewel, and cutting a hole underneath the jewel. Complete instructions are included.

Buy At Divineo USA ...

Classic ZX Spectrum game Jetpac heading to Microsoft's Live Arcade? Well, that's the rumour floating around the internet anyway, and one that carries a strong whiff of possibility considering it was created by Rare - albeit under the developer's former moniker Ultimate - Play the Game.

Jetpac was a 2D platform-shoot-'em-up released in 1983 that saw a jet-packed space man attempting to construct a spaceship, fill it with fuel and blast off from a planet surface while under assault from a variety of bizarre enemies.

Microsoft was unavailable for comment on the Jetpac on Live Arcade rumour at the time of writing, so for now we'll just have to label it, erm, rumour. However, if it turns out to be true, then it wouldn't be too wild a bit of speculation to suggest the likes of Ultimate Speccy gems Underwurlde, Sabre Wulf, Lunar Jetman, Knight Lore and Alien 8 will hit Live Arcade too. Superb, this is one rumour we hope has a lot of foundation in fact. ...

Super Smash Bros. Brawl director Masahiro Sakurai is keeping fans informed on the development of the Wii fighter, by answering burning questions on his official Smash Bros. website.

Courtesy of a forum user, the Japanese-fielded questions have been translated over to our native tongue, and some new 'Brawl details revealed. Among the info splurged, Sakurai noted that the Wii instalment of the series will stress "easiness" over the small details of combat, to help make the game easier to play for newcomers.

The 'Brawl director also touched on the game's character line-up, noting that it hasn't been finalised yet. Sakurai said that the reveal of Solid Snake means that they're contemplating adding one or two more non-Nintendo fighters to the game, but he notes that the characters must have appeared on Nintendo systems at some point to be considered.

Even though an online mode was already confirmed by Nintendo President Satoru Iwata at E3 2005, Sakurai isn't as quick to champion the now year-old announcement. The 'Brawl team are apparently looking into the feature and hope to include online play in time for the game's 2007 release, but we're told there are currently no plans for leader boards or the like.

Interestingly, Sakurai also mentioned a possible Nintendo DS entry in the Smash Bros. series. While he said there's nothing in development at the moment, he didn't rule out a stylus-waving Smash Bros. for the future. Keep your eyes on this space for more Smash Bros. revelations.

Via CVG ...

The next Grand Theft Auto, GTA: Liberty City Stories is only a few weeks away from release on PS2, and we've finally got the first screens and trailer of its brand new console paint job.

In case you haven't been paying attention, Liberty City Stories was first released for the PSP last year, and sees you once again return to Liberty City as new boy Tony Cipriani. Although you're shooting up the exact streets you already criminalised in GTA III, Liberty City Stories introduces a brand new plot, characters, missions and vehicles which is why it quickly became one of the hottest titles for Sony's slick handheld.

If you don't own a PSP or you just want to revisit Liberty City on your home console, GTA: LCS will be out for PS2 on June 23 for the handsome price of 19.99 GBP - to which we say, bargain. The next GTA revisit, Vice City Stories is due on PSP in October

Movies and Screens Here ...

Sony America's Kaz Hirai has gone on the post-E3 record with US newspaper the Mercury news, and chief amongst his musings on the next-gen battle is an acknowledgement that Microsoft has led the way into online, preparing gamers for what the PS3 will eventually be able to offer.

Although it's widely conceded that Microsoft has built a significant advantage with its Live service which is now to be extended through Live Anywhere to embrace 360, PC and next-gen mobile phones, Hirai seemed unperturbed by MS's lead. When questioned, Hirai seemed blissfully unconcerned saying, "Thank you, Microsoft, for helping us in taking consumers online."

Hirai continued, "The most important thing for us is to make sure online is an integral part of the experience. It's not a 'nice to have' feature. It enables new businesses. But we do want to make sure that we have the content for both online and offline."

Hirai seemed equally not bovvered about the concept behind Live Anywhere, implying that Sony's PS3 and PSP connectivity combo would be a superior offering due to the PSP's natural advantages over mobile phones. Hirai said of Live Anywhere, "The more interesting play for me is connectivity with portable devices. That means interaction with the PlayStation Portable and the PS3. Cell phones are not primarily designed for entertainment. We can make the PSP and the PS3 work together. That's a step up in entertainment and a new value to offer the consumer."

Despite Hirai's bullish predictions, can Sony's PS3 and PSP combo take a significant chunk of the next-gen online gaming business? We'd be delighted to hear your thoughts in the comments field below.

Via CVG ...