Welcome to this week's Games Update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.

This is another busy week as the Japanese games came in to join the flow. Realize your dream of becoming a star in You're in the movies. Be the director, producer and actor in your own story and spice it up with all kinds of gimmicks.

You might discover you have more talents than you give yourself credit for.

Aside from the stars the real life stars, classic game characters make their appearance this holiday season. Sega's key mascot Sonic the hedgehog is Unleashed to save the day. Go catch him and engage in some fast paced adventures.

Speed is essential for a ninja. Naruto is in two places at once. Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX 3 is out on Nintendo Wii, prove your skills as you mow down your enemies and combat one to one in boss fights.

In The Broken Bond [Asian & US vers.] Naruto's friendship with Sasuke will face the ultimate test. Can the fox spirit posessed youth save his friend from self destruction?

Travelling is another good way to spend your holidays. Join Lara Croft, the hottest archaeologist on her quest to uncover ancient secrets in Underworld, see the sights and display the moves. You'd realize that being an archaeologist is not just about history and books, there's a lot of ninja work involved.

Horizontal action or one to one arena styled fights, the battle between the vampires and the Belmont clan never ceases. In fact, the fighting spirit has spreaded over all characters, transforming the good against evil struggle into a massive battle event. In the new Nintendo Wii fighter Castlevania: Judgement, pit Belmont, Alucard and Dracula against each other.

Good games always get localized, the strategy RPG Luminous Arc 2 and the fantasy farming fun Rune Factory 2 are available as US versions. Both games carry a bit of sword and shield action, while Luminous Arc 2 requires a bit of military tactics while Rune Factory 2 combines it with nurturance.

Move to a greener environment in Animal Crossing: City Life. Enjoy all the possibilities life brings you and all the activities in an ideal city. Move a little further into the rural areas in Rune Factory Frontier. Laguna and Mist from the first Rune Factory game are back and are ready to make their farms prosper.

Sony PSP is another console that gets a lot of titles this week. Koei's massive crossover, Musou Orochi 2, the card battle Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Tag Force 3 [Asian & JPN vers.], the digital novel inspired fighter Higurashi Daybreak Portable, Falcom's most well known RPG trilogy Sora no Kiseki Box Set, and Kenka Banchou 3 [Asian & JPN vers.] that redefines masculinity.

Patapon 2 [Asian & JPN vers.], the family rhythm game is released just in time for the Christmas holidays. With its new network mode, gather a bunch of friends or family members together and engage in a battle that includes cooperation, a sense of rhythm, stylishly cute characters with next to no violence.

As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week, followed by a quick preview of what is expected to be hot next week.

Xbox360™
Agarest Senki: Rapier Lance JPN US$ 68.90
FarCry 2 JPN US$ 68.90
Guitar Hero World Tour (Band Kit) ASIA US$ 289.90
Guitar Hero World Tour (Guitar Bundle) ASIA US$ 129.90
HORI Fighting Stick EX2 JPN US$ 79.90
Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore 2 Bundle US US$ 69.90
Left 4 Dead US US$ 64.90
Lips US US$ 69.90
Major League Baseball 2K8 JPN US$ 59.90
NCAA Basketball 09 US US$ 64.90
Naruto: The Broken Bond US US$ 64.90
Need for Speed Undercover US US$ 64.90
Rock Band Track Pack: Vol. 2 US US$ 34.90
Sonic Unleashed ASIA US$ 49.90
The Last Remnant US US$ 64.90
The Last Remnant (English language Version) ASIA US$ 49.90
The Last Remnant (Japanese language Version) ASIA US$ 49.90
Tomb Raider Underworld ASIA US$ 49.90
Tomb Raider Underworld US US$ 64.90
World Soccer Winning Eleven 2009 ASIA US$ 49.90
World Soccer Winning Eleven 2009 JPN US$ 79.90
You're in the Movies ASIA US$ 59.90
You're in the Movies US US$ 79.90

PlayStation3™
Alone in the Dark: Inferno US US$ 54.90
Bluetooth Headset US US$ 49.90
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway JPN US$ 68.90
Guitar Hero World Tour (Guitar Bundle) ASIA US$ 129.90
Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore 2 Bundle US US$ 69.90
NCAA Basketball 09 US US$ 64.90
NPPL Championship Paintball 2009 US US$ 54.90
Need for Speed Undercover US US$ 64.90
PlayStation3 Console (HDD 80GB Fallout 3 Collector's Edition Pack) ASIA US$ 469.90
Power Smash 3 / Virtua Tennis 3 (Sega the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Rock Band Track Pack: Vol. 2 US US$ 34.90
The Eye of Judgment Biolith Rebellion 3 Expansion Pack (Voucher incl. 2 Bonus Special Creature Cards) ASIA N/A
Tomb Raider Underworld ASIA US$ 59.90
Tomb Raider Underworld US US$ 64.90
Winning Eleven x UEFA Champions League Anniversary Box JPN N/A
Wireless Headset ASIA US$ 44.90
Wireless Keypad ASIA US$ 49.90
World Soccer Winning Eleven 2009 ASIA US$ 49.90
World Soccer Winning Eleven 2009 JPN US$ 79.90

Nintendo Wii™
Animal Crossing: City Folk US US$ 54.90
Block Party US US$ 44.90
Castlevania: Judgment US US$ 54.90
Cooking Mama: World Kitchen US US$ 54.90
Gallop & Ride US US$ 24.90
Guitar Hero World Tour (Band Kit) US US$ 289.90
Hataraku Hit JPN US$ 49.00
Hori Classic Controller (Black) JPN US$ 29.90
Hori Classic Controller (White) JPN US$ 29.90
Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore 2 Bundle US US$ 69.90
Kotoba no Puzzle: Mojipittan Wii Deluxe JPN US$ 39.90
Luxor 3 US US$ 34.90
Merv Griffin's Crosswords US US$ 24.90
NPPL Championship Paintball 2009 US US$ 54.90
Naruto Shippuuden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX 3 JPN US$ ...

Welcome to this week's Games Update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.

This is another busy week as the Japanese games came in to join the flow. Realize your dream of becoming a star in You're in the movies. Be the director, producer and actor in your own story and spice it up with all kinds of gimmicks.

You might discover you have more talents than you give yourself credit for.

Aside from the stars the real life stars, classic game characters make their appearance this holiday season. Sega's key mascot Sonic the hedgehog is Unleashed to save the day. Go catch him and engage in some fast paced adventures.

Speed is essential for a ninja. Naruto is in two places at once. Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX 3 is out on Nintendo Wii, prove your skills as you mow down your enemies and combat one to one in boss fights.

In The Broken Bond [Asian & US vers.] Naruto's friendship with Sasuke will face the ultimate test. Can the fox spirit posessed youth save his friend from self destruction?

Travelling is another good way to spend your holidays. Join Lara Croft, the hottest archaeologist on her quest to uncover ancient secrets in Underworld, see the sights and display the moves. You'd realize that being an archaeologist is not just about history and books, there's a lot of ninja work involved.

Horizontal action or one to one arena styled fights, the battle between the vampires and the Belmont clan never ceases. In fact, the fighting spirit has spreaded over all characters, transforming the good against evil struggle into a massive battle event. In the new Nintendo Wii fighter Castlevania: Judgement, pit Belmont, Alucard and Dracula against each other.

Good games always get localized, the strategy RPG Luminous Arc 2 and the fantasy farming fun Rune Factory 2 are available as US versions. Both games carry a bit of sword and shield action, while Luminous Arc 2 requires a bit of military tactics while Rune Factory 2 combines it with nurturance.

Move to a greener environment in Animal Crossing: City Life. Enjoy all the possibilities life brings you and all the activities in an ideal city. Move a little further into the rural areas in Rune Factory Frontier. Laguna and Mist from the first Rune Factory game are back and are ready to make their farms prosper.

Sony PSP is another console that gets a lot of titles this week. Koei's massive crossover, Musou Orochi 2, the card battle Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Tag Force 3 [Asian & JPN vers.], the digital novel inspired fighter Higurashi Daybreak Portable, Falcom's most well known RPG trilogy Sora no Kiseki Box Set, and Kenka Banchou 3 [Asian & JPN vers.] that redefines masculinity.

Patapon 2 [Asian & JPN vers.], the family rhythm game is released just in time for the Christmas holidays. With its new network mode, gather a bunch of friends or family members together and engage in a battle that includes cooperation, a sense of rhythm, stylishly cute characters with next to no violence.

As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week, followed by a quick preview of what is expected to be hot next week.

Xbox360™
Agarest Senki: Rapier Lance JPN US$ 68.90
FarCry 2 JPN US$ 68.90
Guitar Hero World Tour (Band Kit) ASIA US$ 289.90
Guitar Hero World Tour (Guitar Bundle) ASIA US$ 129.90
HORI Fighting Stick EX2 JPN US$ 79.90
Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore 2 Bundle US US$ 69.90
Left 4 Dead US US$ 64.90
Lips US US$ 69.90
Major League Baseball 2K8 JPN US$ 59.90
NCAA Basketball 09 US US$ 64.90
Naruto: The Broken Bond US US$ 64.90
Need for Speed Undercover US US$ 64.90
Rock Band Track Pack: Vol. 2 US US$ 34.90
Sonic Unleashed ASIA US$ 49.90
The Last Remnant US US$ 64.90
The Last Remnant (English language Version) ASIA US$ 49.90
The Last Remnant (Japanese language Version) ASIA US$ 49.90
Tomb Raider Underworld ASIA US$ 49.90
Tomb Raider Underworld US US$ 64.90
World Soccer Winning Eleven 2009 ASIA US$ 49.90
World Soccer Winning Eleven 2009 JPN US$ 79.90
You're in the Movies ASIA US$ 59.90
You're in the Movies US US$ 79.90

PlayStation3™
Alone in the Dark: Inferno US US$ 54.90
Bluetooth Headset US US$ 49.90
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway JPN US$ 68.90
Guitar Hero World Tour (Guitar Bundle) ASIA US$ 129.90
Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore 2 Bundle US US$ 69.90
NCAA Basketball 09 US US$ 64.90
NPPL Championship Paintball 2009 US US$ 54.90
Need for Speed Undercover US US$ 64.90
PlayStation3 Console (HDD 80GB Fallout 3 Collector's Edition Pack) ASIA US$ 469.90
Power Smash 3 / Virtua Tennis 3 (Sega the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Rock Band Track Pack: Vol. 2 US US$ 34.90
The Eye of Judgment Biolith Rebellion 3 Expansion Pack (Voucher incl. 2 Bonus Special Creature Cards) ASIA N/A
Tomb Raider Underworld ASIA US$ 59.90
Tomb Raider Underworld US US$ 64.90
Winning Eleven x UEFA Champions League Anniversary Box JPN N/A
Wireless Headset ASIA US$ 44.90
Wireless Keypad ASIA US$ 49.90
World Soccer Winning Eleven 2009 ASIA US$ 49.90
World Soccer Winning Eleven 2009 JPN US$ 79.90

Nintendo Wii™
Animal Crossing: City Folk US US$ 54.90
Block Party US US$ 44.90
Castlevania: Judgment US US$ 54.90
Cooking Mama: World Kitchen US US$ 54.90
Gallop & Ride US US$ 24.90
Guitar Hero World Tour (Band Kit) US US$ 289.90
Hataraku Hit JPN US$ 49.00
Hori Classic Controller (Black) JPN US$ 29.90
Hori Classic Controller (White) JPN US$ 29.90
Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore 2 Bundle US US$ 69.90
Kotoba no Puzzle: Mojipittan Wii Deluxe JPN US$ 39.90
Luxor 3 US US$ 34.90
Merv Griffin's Crosswords US US$ 24.90
NPPL Championship Paintball 2009 US US$ 54.90
Naruto Shippuuden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX 3 JPN US$ ...

We're a few years into this generation. We're getting increasingly comfortable with the hardware. While we're not ready to move on, we still wonder: How much longer will it last?

Microsoft's Chris Lewis thinks it's going to last much longer, because of things like scalability. "When you look at NXE, that is a complete revision of the interface and the look and feel and every aspect of the system," Lewis says. Continuing, he adds that this sort of thing is not predicated by new hardware and that Microsoft has done that through software and services.

"So if you think of that scalability and the opportunity to enhance and develop what we do with this platform, then I think it’s very, very possible — and indeed appropriate — that this generation will be longer," says Lewis. "But we’re not specific about when that will happen, and we don’t have a particular timeline that we share right now. But as I said, there’s a lot more still to come."

Moreover the upgraded SKUs help lengthen the live of the console. A longer generation is win-win. Win for companies because they get a better handle on the product. Win for consumers because we get better games and don't have to buy more consoles.

http://kotaku.com/5099549/hold-on-th...n-will-be-long ...

We're a few years into this generation. We're getting increasingly comfortable with the hardware. While we're not ready to move on, we still wonder: How much longer will it last?

Microsoft's Chris Lewis thinks it's going to last much longer, because of things like scalability. "When you look at NXE, that is a complete revision of the interface and the look and feel and every aspect of the system," Lewis says. Continuing, he adds that this sort of thing is not predicated by new hardware and that Microsoft has done that through software and services.

"So if you think of that scalability and the opportunity to enhance and develop what we do with this platform, then I think it’s very, very possible — and indeed appropriate — that this generation will be longer," says Lewis. "But we’re not specific about when that will happen, and we don’t have a particular timeline that we share right now. But as I said, there’s a lot more still to come."

Moreover the upgraded SKUs help lengthen the live of the console. A longer generation is win-win. Win for companies because they get a better handle on the product. Win for consumers because we get better games and don't have to buy more consoles.

http://kotaku.com/5099549/hold-on-th...n-will-be-long ...

Love it or able to live a full and happy life without it, Home's one hell of a high profile release for Sony. So, uh, when's it coming out?

If you're after a neat, tidy "release" date, you won't find one. In fact, going by comments from Home's director, Jack Buser, it looks like the service/program/thing won't ever have a "release date". Asked for one by IGN, Buser responds:


Like we've said, we're excited about moving PlayStation Home into its Open Beta stage this year. Once we make the move to Open Beta, everyone will have access to PlayStation Home.

To us, that sounds like making Home has been hard. So hard that they've come up with this "open beta" release idea. It's the best of a bad situation for a service that's obviously had its fair share of development issues: an "open beta" lets anyone and everyone in, while at the same time, being an "open beta" lets them keep working on it and not have to worry about delaying the actual "release" any further.

That is, if they even bother with a "release" any further; they might just quietly maintain the beta til nobody notices/cares anymore, like everything else online seems to do these days.

Either way, whether that assumption's right or wrong, there's no doubting what he said: five weeks out from 2009, that's the director of Home saying that we'll all have our hands on it by the end of 2008.

http://kotaku.com/5099543/home-direc...be-out-in-2008 ...

It's Thanksgiving Day here in the states, which means that unless Lara Croft and Nathan Drake have a love child and proceed to shoot up a shopping mall, you're probably not going to hear a whole lot from us today. Even Ludwig, a South African, likes to pretend he's sharing in the festivities with a little faux-turkey he makes every year from hut roof shavings and leopard paws.

But we wanted to have a place for you, the Joystiq Biomass, to commune with each other and share what you're thankful for in gaming this year. It can be a developer, a favorite game, a new mechanic, anything: It's your choice. Heck, we don't even care if you're bursting to give thanks for something non-gaming, as long as we're all together.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/jo...-thankful-for/ ...

It's Thanksgiving Day here in the states, which means that unless Lara Croft and Nathan Drake have a love child and proceed to shoot up a shopping mall, you're probably not going to hear a whole lot from us today. Even Ludwig, a South African, likes to pretend he's sharing in the festivities with a little faux-turkey he makes every year from hut roof shavings and leopard paws.

But we wanted to have a place for you, the Joystiq Biomass, to commune with each other and share what you're thankful for in gaming this year. It can be a developer, a favorite game, a new mechanic, anything: It's your choice. Heck, we don't even care if you're bursting to give thanks for something non-gaming, as long as we're all together.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/jo...-thankful-for/ ...

Last night Apple released a new QuickTime update that allows standard definition iTunes movies to play over the new MacBooks' DisplayPort and onto older displays.

This somewhat addresses a highly publically criticized issue about how the new portables would not play legitimately purchased movies on external displays without HDCP support. However, as of now, the update is only for unibody MacBooks and MacBook Pros as well as second-revision MacBook Airs.

This update should allow for the inclusion of any display that attaches through the VGA adapter and should also allow playback from DVI-equipped displays that don’t have built in HDCP encryption. HD isn't affected as of yet since TV shows usually don’t require the use of copy protection formats.

http://www.modmyi.com/forums/mac-new...splayport.html ...

MCleaner is one of those nifty jailbreak apps which are actually useful. The app blocks unwanted callers (even texts from them), and recently posted an update which adds a feature where the caller gets an immediate answer and hangup - so they can't even leave you a voicemail. Heh.

http://www.modmyi.com/forums/iphone-...mediately.html ...