Newly released today:



After months of waiting, Sonic the Hedgehog has finally arrived with his friends Tails and Knuckles. These are not mere Sonic toys, they are the vinyl figures created by First4Figures, known for crafting realistic figures and statues from high quality polystone.

Although the materials are different and the sizes are much smaller, you can still see the vivid posture and careful sculpting.

Sonic, like always, is challenging everybody around to a run. So, come take up the challenge, catch him and take him home.

Tails, Sonic's sidekick is grinning happily, his double tails prepared to spin and propel him to the air. As opposed to Tail's friendly disposition, Knuckles stands up straight with balled fists, showing you the sharp pikes on his knuckles. This power character only need to stand still to inspire awe.

The three vinyl figures have arrived, crafted in the classic Sony games fashion. Build your own game stage in your display case with these three players:

Sonic The Hedgehog Series 1 - Vinyl Figure: Knuckles US US$ 12.90
Sonic The Hedgehog Series 1 - Vinyl Figure: Sonic US US$ 12.90
Sonic The Hedgehog Series 1 - Vinyl Figure: Tails US US$ 12.90

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...-29u-84-n.html ...

China Central Television (CCTV) is apparently on a tear, correlating youth violence and youthful indiscretions with online game use. Yahoo News reports the latest program from the state news channel, titled Confession of a Murderer -- Focus on Pornography and Violence in Online Game (Part Two), features a boy in a Beijing juvenile prison serving life after killing five people over virtual goods. The piece also allegedly states that up to 80 percent of violent inmates in the prison became criminals because of online games.

The previous installment covered a 14-year-old who apparently had two abortions after being led down the sex-crazed path paved by playing a dance game called Audition. Now, if it'd been called Hollywood Audition Process, that would have made perfect sense. There was also another report on kids doing speed during all-night gaming marathons. The government reports that of China's 338 million online users, 210 million play games.

An analyst projection of China's online game revenues estimates the country will produce $11 billion by 2012. Not that money has anything to do with the government trying push out foreigners and control the market -- it's all about the people's safety.

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/ch...gnancy-murder/ ...

A third-degree black belt in American Karate, with experience in five other martial arts, assessed the NES' Kung Fu and Karate Champ to determine which 2D 8-bit game most accurately presents its eponymous fighting style.

Multiplayergames got the real-life karate master, John, to look at the titles - both ports of Data East classics that took about $100 from me over the summer of 1985. Here's his report on Kung Fu:

"[S]ome of the goons attacking run at Thomas with their fist raised above their head. This may be trying to convey something like a wooden monkey style. That being said, the ancient visuals actually serve martial arts proud by rendering chambers and pivots through punching and kicking (the base foot turns on Thomas' side-kick). The jumping kicks are right on for any style of Kung Fu as well as the quick striking, but the limited graphics make it impossible to show all the circular movements and blocks that makes Kung Fu artistic/cool looking, therefore a popular choice for movie characters to show off on screen. Thomas lacks any kind of guard stance and certainly doesn't hold a wider one which is more appropriate for Kung Fu.

And now on Karate Champ:

The graphics do not demonstrate technique as well as Kung Fu. Much of it is a jumbled mess, but the idea of the point fighting is fairly accurate. In point fighting tournaments, you score a point, break, and go again when the judge starts you. The typical colors are even white and red, as in the game. The side scrolling graphics are also appropriate for point fighting in the 80's, because sport karate used to be more linear then, as more angled and dynamic fighting evolved shortly after.

The verdict? You know what, head over and see for yourself. It's a brilliant idea and a great read.

http://kotaku.com/5435702/which-nes-...r-karate-champ ...

Sensing that it is Christmas, and that Christmas is the time for giving, Nintendo's weekly download update is this week suitably festive.

Not only do American Wii owners get the pleasant surprise of Castlevania The Adventure ReBirth on WiiWare and The Oregon Trail on DSiWare, but PilotWings - the original, Super Nintendo great - is now available on the Virtual Console.

First Smash Bros., now PilotWings...it's like the Virtual Console is suddenly relevant/appealing again!

Here's the full line-up for this week:

WiiWare

Castlevania The Adventure ReBirth
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™
Description: Another 100 years have passed since the death of Count Dracula, but his curse has emerged once again within the realms of Transylvania. Play the role of the ultimate gothic hero from the long lineage of vampire hunters, the Belmont clan, and rid the universe of Dracula's legion of darkness and doom. Based on the classic 1989 original Castlevania: The Adventure, this WiiWare version will allow players of a new generation - and older fans - to experience one of the most popular games within the storied Castlevania timeline from a new perspective.

Eat! Fat! FIGHT!
Publisher: TECMO
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Forget about being healthy. Here's a game that celebrates eating, getting fat and fighting. Hold the Wii Remote controller horizontally and tilt it left, right, up or down to perform all kinds of lifts and throws just like in real sumo. There are also hidden moves like suplexes and scrapbusters thrown in for fun. Use all the moves you learn in tournaments around the world to reach the peak of sumo and become a yokozuna. In ONE PLAYER mode, play eating or sparring mini-games to make your wrestler stronger and change his look. You can also use your own Mii™ character's face on your wrestler. In TWO PLAYER mode, take on another person using default wrestlers or the wrestlers that you have created. (Additional accessories are required for two-player mode and are sold separately.) Chow down, bulk up and fight on to become the strongest sumo wrestler ever.

RABBIDS LAB
Publisher: Ubisoft
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Cartoon Violence
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: A raving Rabbid is stuck inside the Wii Remote controller. Come play with him. First, try interacting with him by moving the Wii Remote or pressing the buttons and seeing how much he loves it. Once you've gotten to know the crazy guy, it's time to change his appearance in the Lab. Mess with his head and place seasonal accessories on him, or change his look entirely with the painting module. When you've made your raving Rabbid completely unique, you can take a photo and send it in a Wii™ message to show your Wii Friends (broadband Internet connection required).

The Magic Obelisk
Publisher: GAME ARTS Co., Ltd.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: The Magic Obelisk is an action-adventure game in which you become Popo, a light spirit. Your mission is to guide Lukus, a tree spirit, to each stage's goal while moving only within the shadow. You can help him do this by shining your light near the mysterious magic obelisks, allowing you to create and connect shadows to solve tricks and gimmicks along the way. Join Lukus as he travels through a light-filled realm filled with quirky creatures and spirits, trying to find the perfect spot to become a tree. Experience meaningful encounters and partings, climb hills, cross rivers and traverse a vast desert on your way to the very edge of the world.

Virtual Console

PilotWings
Original platform: Super NES™
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Join the Flight Club to take to the skies and experience a variety of aerial activities. Take off and pilot a biplane through rings along a predetermined flight path, or drift serenely in a hang glider, catching thermal currents to gain altitude. In either case, just be sure to stick the landing. Looking for more speed? Strap on the rocket belt to blast your way around an obstacle course. If that's not enough, reach maximum velocity as you tackle a skydiving lesson at 3,800 feet. Complete specific objectives within a set time limit to score points (and maybe even a bonus chance) and obtain certification in eight different lessons. Your goals will become more challenging, and weather conditions will make controlling your vehicle more difficult as you progress. If you succeed, you will be rewarded with the opportunity to pilot an attack helicopter on a daring rescue mission. It's time to earn your wings.

Nintendo DSiWare

The Oregon Trail
Publisher: Gameloft
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence, Use of Tobacco
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Westward, ho! Your favorite pioneering adventure game takes ...

Sensing that it is Christmas, and that Christmas is the time for giving, Nintendo's weekly download update is this week suitably festive.

Not only do American Wii owners get the pleasant surprise of Castlevania The Adventure ReBirth on WiiWare and The Oregon Trail on DSiWare, but PilotWings - the original, Super Nintendo great - is now available on the Virtual Console.

First Smash Bros., now PilotWings...it's like the Virtual Console is suddenly relevant/appealing again!

Here's the full line-up for this week:

WiiWare

Castlevania The Adventure ReBirth
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™
Description: Another 100 years have passed since the death of Count Dracula, but his curse has emerged once again within the realms of Transylvania. Play the role of the ultimate gothic hero from the long lineage of vampire hunters, the Belmont clan, and rid the universe of Dracula's legion of darkness and doom. Based on the classic 1989 original Castlevania: The Adventure, this WiiWare version will allow players of a new generation - and older fans - to experience one of the most popular games within the storied Castlevania timeline from a new perspective.

Eat! Fat! FIGHT!
Publisher: TECMO
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Forget about being healthy. Here's a game that celebrates eating, getting fat and fighting. Hold the Wii Remote controller horizontally and tilt it left, right, up or down to perform all kinds of lifts and throws just like in real sumo. There are also hidden moves like suplexes and scrapbusters thrown in for fun. Use all the moves you learn in tournaments around the world to reach the peak of sumo and become a yokozuna. In ONE PLAYER mode, play eating or sparring mini-games to make your wrestler stronger and change his look. You can also use your own Mii™ character's face on your wrestler. In TWO PLAYER mode, take on another person using default wrestlers or the wrestlers that you have created. (Additional accessories are required for two-player mode and are sold separately.) Chow down, bulk up and fight on to become the strongest sumo wrestler ever.

RABBIDS LAB
Publisher: Ubisoft
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Cartoon Violence
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: A raving Rabbid is stuck inside the Wii Remote controller. Come play with him. First, try interacting with him by moving the Wii Remote or pressing the buttons and seeing how much he loves it. Once you've gotten to know the crazy guy, it's time to change his appearance in the Lab. Mess with his head and place seasonal accessories on him, or change his look entirely with the painting module. When you've made your raving Rabbid completely unique, you can take a photo and send it in a Wii™ message to show your Wii Friends (broadband Internet connection required).

The Magic Obelisk
Publisher: GAME ARTS Co., Ltd.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: The Magic Obelisk is an action-adventure game in which you become Popo, a light spirit. Your mission is to guide Lukus, a tree spirit, to each stage's goal while moving only within the shadow. You can help him do this by shining your light near the mysterious magic obelisks, allowing you to create and connect shadows to solve tricks and gimmicks along the way. Join Lukus as he travels through a light-filled realm filled with quirky creatures and spirits, trying to find the perfect spot to become a tree. Experience meaningful encounters and partings, climb hills, cross rivers and traverse a vast desert on your way to the very edge of the world.

Virtual Console

PilotWings
Original platform: Super NES™
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Join the Flight Club to take to the skies and experience a variety of aerial activities. Take off and pilot a biplane through rings along a predetermined flight path, or drift serenely in a hang glider, catching thermal currents to gain altitude. In either case, just be sure to stick the landing. Looking for more speed? Strap on the rocket belt to blast your way around an obstacle course. If that's not enough, reach maximum velocity as you tackle a skydiving lesson at 3,800 feet. Complete specific objectives within a set time limit to score points (and maybe even a bonus chance) and obtain certification in eight different lessons. Your goals will become more challenging, and weather conditions will make controlling your vehicle more difficult as you progress. If you succeed, you will be rewarded with the opportunity to pilot an attack helicopter on a daring rescue mission. It's time to earn your wings.

Nintendo DSiWare

The Oregon Trail
Publisher: Gameloft
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence, Use of Tobacco
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Westward, ho! Your favorite pioneering adventure game takes ...

It may not have the lasting historical significance of "1066 and all that", but that doesn't stop Elsa's tapestry of Mario's iconic 1-1 level from being just as impressive as anything the Normans could come up with.

http://kotaku.com/5435955/the-bayeux-tapestry-world-1+1 ...

We'd heard webOS 1.3.5 would be coming to the Pre on Sprint today, and here we go -- it's being pushed to devices right now. The official changelog is quite long, but the big-ticket tweaks include the removal of the app storage limit, better performance, and improved battery life. We'll let you know how our update goes -- you let us know the same now, kaykay? Kay.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/28/s...-5-to-the-pre/ ...

Still not satisfied with any of the with iPhone and iPod touch steering wheel or game controller accessories available these days? Then perhaps PosiMotion's recently announced Helix gaming grip will be more to your liking -- it does promise to be ideal for "virtually any game," after all. To that end, the Helix is able to accommodate your iPhone or iPod touch in either portrait or landscape mode, and it boasts a "grip-enhancing" soft-touch coating to keep it from slipping from your hands during particularly intense gaming sessions. Still no firm word on a release date just yet, but PosiMotion will gladly take your $20 now and deliver one to you sometime in the Spring.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/29/p...ne-ipod-touch/ ...

While Palm's Pre is many things to many people it still can't game. Oh sure, it'll play Magic Fortune Ball like a champ but when it comes to intensive 3D action the Pre is as helpless as a would-be terrorist trying to ignite his underwear. See, webOS and the Mojo SDK currently can't exploit the GPU the way other smartphone platforms can. Rewind a few weeks, however, and we're reminded of a video showing EA's Need for Speed Undercover running impossibly smooth on a Pre. At the time, the video and claims of the device running Flash were shot down as fake largely due to the accompanying screen caps of the purportedly new App Catalog. Well guess what? Those screen caps were vindicated today with the webOS 1.3.5 update that just so happened to launch a new App Catalog matching the leaked images, exactly. That lends credence to the video then doesn't it, while hinting at future apps and games with full OpenGL graphics support. Is that the big reveal at CES alongside enhanced Pre+ and Pixi+ handsets headed to Big Red? We'll find out shortly enough -- until then check the gameplay after the break.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/29/p...ed-undercover/ ...