via register

Clive Sinclair's ZX Spectrum is a quarter of a century old today. The machine that really launched the UK IT industry hit the streets of a depressed Britain on 23 April, 1982.

The Falklands War was properly kicking off, skirt-bothering Europhiles Bucks Fizz were number one with their unforgettable hit My Camera Never Lies [no, us either], and new romantic coal miners were using yellowed ration books as makeshift lavatory paper while they waited in million-strong lines for their Giro - if they weren't being beaten up by skinheads.

Dark days, then. But lo, along came bespectacled Messiah Sir Clive Sinclair with the successor to his 1981 release, the black-and-white ZX-81 [see what he did there?]. The ZX Spectrum boasted a visual cortex-melting eight colours at 256 x 192 resolution, blistering 3.5MHz CPU, and crucially, a crisp-repelling vulcanised rubber keyboard.

It gave a nation of spods a good reason not to go outside, paving the way for a generation UK IT triumphs, like the National Programme for IT.

Unfortunately for Sir Clive, his subsequent adventures in personal transport, wristwatch radios, and professional poker didn't redefine paradigms in quite the same way.

For a trip down memory lane - or for those under 30, to laugh with youthful conceit at the pathetic puniness of early home computers - you could do worse than visit worldofspectrum for archives, forums and emulators. ...

New from Play Asia



features
Pages: 296
Exclusive Poster - A large poster with exclusive Pokémon art.
Full Walkthrough with Maps - Each area of the new Sinnoh region will be comprehensively covered so players will be able to find all the new Pokémon. ...

New from Play Asia



SHINE BRIGHT IN SINNOH! Everything you need to become a master Pokémon Trainer is right here. Helpful Trainer advice including battle techniques and tips for traveling in Sinnoh! Complete story walk-through showing you how to become Pokémon League Champion! Detailed maps of the Sinnoh region, including towns, caves, and the Underground! Full team information for Sinnoh's toughest Trainers - the formidible Gym leaders! Bonus poster included!! Complete strategy for Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version for Nintendo DS! ...

New from Play Asia



features
Pilot New LFOs: Choose from up to 17 different LFOs to pilot, each with different looks, attacks, and weapons!
Multiple Gameplay Modes: Test your skills and see how long you can last against waves of enemies in Survival Mode, perform special missions and employ new combat techniques in Conflict Mode!
New Gameplay Features: Utilize your piloting skills to survive the frentic Rail Ride Mode, and use Rider’s High to slow down time and dispatch your enemies.
Dream Match: Choose your favorite pilot and LFO to fight solo or side by side with your allies over five stages!
That Character Looks Familiar: Eureka Seven Vol. 2: The New Vision leads right up to the beginning of the anime series, includes many characters that are on the TV show, and is penned by the creator of Eureka Seven!

description
The original TV series comes to life on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system! In Eureka Seven Vol.2: The New Vision™, assume the role of former military pilot Sumner Sturgeon to control powerful LFO machines, compete in Lift Races, and fight in a variety of missions and modes leading up to the events of the exciting Eureka Seven animated series!

The game features powerful LFO machines that transform from humanoid form to vehicle form, mind-blowing “lift” board riding action, and an exciting storyline that includes melee, vehicular, and weapon-based combat. ...

via Xbox 360 Fanboy


We're a little late on this one, but at least we're honest about the fact and are still reporting on the goods. Over on the official Halo Wars forums Ensemble Studios' own Thunder posted a brief status report on Halo Wars' progress and asked lead designer Graeme Devine a few questions. Although the update and interview don't give us any new media or reveal any big news about Halo Wars, we do learn that Graeme is Irish and likes his Guinness. So, if you're feeling a little adventurous, make the jump for Ensemble Studios' April Halo Wars update. ...

New from Play Asia and SuccessHK (Worldwide shipping)



features
Customizable characters give each player a unique experience - select from five races (human, dwarf, halfling, elf, machine) and eight different job classes (Fighter, Mage, Priest, Thief, Knight, Samurai, Ninja, Anchor)
Complete quests to earn more gold to help recruit new party members or upgrade equipment
Enjoy the vast selection of weapons, armors, and accessories which also become visible on the in-game models when equipped
Real-time battles in which the player can switch between controlling any of the six party members on the fly
Highly detailed indoor and outdoor environments such as forests, dungeons, tunnels, castles, and an old ninja village
Encounter up to 150 different types of monsters, including dragons, giants, vampires, ghosts and enemy samurais
Network Play - Team up with other players in multi-player modes

description
A place that was forgotten from history, where humans, elves, dwarfs, halflings and other various races lived together in harmony... it was a paradise, surrounded by deep green forests and crystal clear streams. However, the roar of the demons tore apart their peaceful lives. It was the return of the Dark Lord, the previous ruler of the land, which sparked a new round of battles which would eventually encompass all the races. After years of fierce fighting, the Dark Lord was sealed away by the hands of the hero, Rastul. But from the blood of the demons, the land had been cursed and the sky lost its light. The cursed land entrapped the people, making every waking moment feel like an eternity. Eventually the land once known as a paradise came to be known as "The Cursed Land." One day, a youth wakes up in this land. In this land full of despair, the youth searches for his/her lost memory. What lies ahead are the discovery of his/her memories and the future of this forsaken land. ...

via PSP Fanboy


Games Digest recently tested the PSP web browser to find out how compatible it was with popular Web 2.0 sites. The browser did fairly well in rendering many sites, such as amazon, Facebook, Flickr, Gmail, and Twitter. However, there were many other sites that experienced issues, some crippling enough to make the site unusable.

There are alternatives, though. My personal PSP browser is filled with bookmarks that point to mobile versions of sites. These versions are usually intended for cell phones, but their minimalistic design is guaranteed to work on PSP--and quickly, too. For example, loading the Mobile version of PSP Fanboy (m.pspfanboy.com) allows me to check for the latest updates on the site while I'm on the go. It may not have all the functions I want (such as comments), but it works really well on PSP.

We found some mobile versions of sites that Games Digest tested. While the PSP browser may not be able to handle all pages well, it's certainly a useful (and free) addition to the system that's easy to appreciate. It may take some work, but if there are problems with a site you like to visit, check to see if there's a Mobile version. See some examples, after the break.

eBay
amazon.com
Facebook
Flickr
Twitter
Bloglines
Digg (unofficial)
del.icio.us (unofficial) ...

News from Play Asia

In these classic gaming news updates you will find a frequent summary of all classical titles which were added to our site. Availability is subject to frequent changes and fast decisions are recommended as we usually have only very few copies of those titles that are listed below. As always we are trying to expand our catalogue regularly.

Product additions from April 23rd, 2007

We continue our restock listings with all games restocked for Classic Nintendo systems like Super Famicom™, Nintendo 64™, Famicom™, GameBoy™/Color/Advance, Virtual Boy™ & Gamecube™.

GameCube™

Chaos Field Expanded [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Ikaruga [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Muscle Champion [pre-owned] JPN US$ 64.90
Pilgrimage [pre-owned] JPN N/A
The Castle of Shikigami II / Shikigami No Shiro II [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
The Legend of Zelda Collection [Club Nintendo Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Tower of Druaga [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90
Tower of Druaga JPN US$ 49.90
Zoids Versus 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 64.90

Super Famicom™

Akumajo Dracula XX [pre-owned] JPN US$ 69.90
Albert Odyssey 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 24.90
Aliens vs. Predator [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Bahamut Lagoon [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon R [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90
Puzzle Bobble [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Captain Commando [pre-owned] JPN US$ 64.90
Captain Tsubasa III [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Captain Tsubasa V [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Contra Spirits [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Demon's Blazon [pre-owned] JPN US$ 54.90
Dragon Ball Z: Chou Butouden 2 [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Dragon Ball Z: Super Gokuden: Totsugeki-Hen [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Dragon Quest I & II [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Dragon Quest III [pre-owned] JPN US$ 54.90
Dragon Quest VI [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90

F-Zero [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Farland Story 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Final Fantasy IV Easytype [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Final Fantasy V [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Final Fantasy VI [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90
Final Fight [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Final Fight 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Final Fight Tough [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Fire Emblem: Trachia 776 [Deluxe Pack] [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Ganbare Goemon: Kirakira Douchuu [pre-owned] JPN US$ 54.90
Go Go Ackman 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Gokujou Parodius [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Gradius III [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90

Hokuto no Ken 7 [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
Kinnikuman: Dirty Challenger [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Kirby Bowl [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Kirby no Kira Kira Kids [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Kirby Super Deluxe [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Kirby's Dream Land 3 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 69.90
Live A Live [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
Magical Drop 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Magical Quest 3 starring Mickey and Donald [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Mario Paint [Mouse Set] [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Mickey Mania [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90
Mobile Suit Gundam W: Endless Duel [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
Muscle Bomber [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90

Ninja Warriors Again [pre-owned] JPN US$ 79.90
Ogre Battle [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Pocky & Rocky 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
Pop'n Twinbee [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
R-Type III: The Third Lightning [pre-owned] JPN US$ 54.90
Ranma ½: Akanekodan no Hihou [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Ranma ½: Chougi Ranbu Hen [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Ranma ½: Hard Battle [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90
Return of Double Dragon [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
RockMan & Forte [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
RockMan X2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Romancing Sa-Ga 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Romancing SaGa [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Rudra's Treasure [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
Shin Megami Tensei [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90

Shin Megami Tensei if... [pre-owned] JPN US$ 19.90
Shin Megami Tensei II [pre-owned] JPN US$ 24.90
Sonic Wings [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
Soul Blader [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Spriggan Powered [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
Street Fighter II Turbo [pre-owned] JPN US$ 24.90
Super Adventure Island II [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Super Aleste [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
Super Bomberman [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Super Bomberman 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Super Bomberman 3 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Super Bomberman 4 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Super Bomberman 5 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Super Castlevania IV [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Super Donkey Kong 2: Dixie & Diddy [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90

Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Super Mario RPG [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Super Mario World: Super Mario Bros. 4 [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Super Mario: Yoshi's Island [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Super Metroid [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Super Picross [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Super Real Mahjong P IV [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90
Super Star Wars [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi [pre-owned] JPN US$ 69.90
Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Super Tetris 3 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Tales of Phantasia [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant ...

via joystiq

The price of a PSP in Europe is set to be violently assaulted with a sharp object next month, when Sony plans to slash at it wildly in the hopes of trimming a few pounds. And Euros, obviously, but as with the US price drop earlier this month, that particular currency simply doesn't suit the rapid weight loss imagery we're going for.

A report on GamesIndustry.Biz indicates that the retail price of the PlayStation puny will drop by £20 in the UK to £129.99 on 4 May. The rest of the continent will pay €169.99 following a drop of €30. The change in price will be accompanied by a cheaper £14.99 tag for Platinum titles, with Ridge Racer 2, Tekken: Dark Resurrection, Killzone: Liberation, LocoRoco and Moto GP all being included in the range and fighting against the argument that the system doesn't have any games. ...