ARTICLES BEING UPDATED FREQUENTLY TODAY
As information comes in, I’m updating the front page as fast as I can. Any stories that get an update will have a new italicized update message at the end of the story. Be sure to check back often!
PLAYSTATION 3 INFORMATION UPDATES
Just a recap of what we know so far about the Playstation 3;
- The U.S. launch date: November 17th, 2006
- The price of admission: two versions of the console will be released; one with a 20 gigabyte hard drive priced at $499.99 and one with a 60 gigabyte hard drive priced at $599.99.
- Wireless Controller – Bluetooth capable… and it will have some form of motion sensor, akin to the Nintendo Wii concept. The controller apparently looks like a silver Dual-Shock 2 with a Playstation logo guide button in the center… much like the 360 controller guide button. (I haven’t seen the controller yet, but this is how it’s being described)
- Sony’s online PS3 community will have many features in common with Xbox Live,
but will be free of charge for all. - The console will initially ship in a "clear-black" color.
- The controllers do not feature any form of vibration feedback.
- The 20 gigabyte ($499) version of the PS3 does not include a Memory Stick/SD/Compact Flash reader, WiFi connectability or a HDMI Output.
- Gran Turismo HD announced for the Playstation 3
- Genji 2 announced for the Playstation 3
- Resistance: Fall of Man announced for the Playstation 3
- Two different Final Fantasy XIII games announced for the Playstation 3
- Grand Theft Auto IV announced for the Playstation 3
Update 1: I’m hearing that the statement I’m basing the "PS3 online – free of charge" bit on could be taken either as I took it, or as something akin to Xbox Live Silver. As such, ignore that part for now as I wouldn’t want to be passing out bad info. Thanks for the tip HCF.
Update 2: Added some more games that were announced to the Playstation 3 list.
Stay with us for more information as it breaks!
UNO NOW AVAILABLE IN THE XBOX LIVE MARKETPLACE
Stix over at Gamer’s Lounge is reporting that the Xbox Live Arcade version of Uno is now available in the Xbox Live Marketplace for 400 points. ($5.00) Why not relive your school days and go download it now?
GAMESPOT GOES HANDS ON WITH THE WII CONTROLLER
Gamespot has a short first-impressions article about their time with the Wii controller. They don’t seem to mention much about it in action, but give a good explanation of the feel of the controllers. Check it out over at Gamespot
LEGEND OF ZELDA: TWILIGHT PRINCESS COMING TO GAMECUBE AND WII
At their Pre-E3 press conference, Nintendo announced that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will be coming to both the Gamecube and Wii. The Wii version will be enhanced to make full use of the Wii controllers.
XBOX LIVE MARKETPLACE BACKLOGGED
I’m sure anyone who’s trying to get downloads of trailers or demos is well aware right now that Xbox Live is extremely slow. I’ve been trying to get my hands on the Halo 3 trailer for about the last two and a half hours with no luck. I really wish they’d create some kind of a queue system for when things get this hectic.
NINTENDO HAS A GAMEPAD FOR THE WII
Gamespot is reporting that inside of a package of hardware screenshots available for download at Nintendo’s press website is a file that shows a classic style gamepad for the Wii. Speculation is that this controller would be used for the backwards compatible titles that the Wii will be able to play.
MICROSOFT PRESS CONFERENCE DETAILS
Ok, it’s just easier to break down all the stuff announced at the press conference here rather than putting up a truckload of articles, so here we go;
Fable 2 announced
Forza Motorsports 2 announced
Halo 3 announced
Grand Theft Auto IV announced – will be coming to the Xbox 360 “first”
Microsoft signs Rockstar for exclusive episodic content for Grand Theft Auto IV
Shadowrun to be multiplayer compatible between the Xbox 360 and Windows
HD-DVD Add-on player scheduled for holiday 2006 release – no price given
Viva Pinata to allow players to trade items via the Xbox Marketplace
“Live Anywhere” to merge Xbox Live friends list with new Windows Vista and mobile phone friends list
Lumines Live to appear in Live Arcade
Live Arcade classic game additions announced
Pac-Man
Contra
Frogger
Galaga
Sonic The Hedgehog
Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting
Defender
Time Pilot
Scramble
Ultimate MK3
Rally-X
Dig Dug
MS Pac-Man
Root Beer Tapper
Paperboy
HALO 3 COMING IN 2007
Microsoft has just shown a trailer apparently showing a devastated Earth with the end line “This is how the world ends.” Halo3 will be coming in 2007 and it looks like the fight is coming back to the Earth. We’ll stay with this story as well as more information becomes available.
GRAND THEFT AUTO IV COMING TO XBOX 360
Microsoft has just announced that Grand Theft Auto IV will be coming to the Xbox 360. More details later as the story breaks.
NINTENDO PRESS CONFERENCE WII INFORMATION
Just a very brief recap of what was revealed about the Nintendo Wii at today’s press conference. We’ll have more on this later once we’ve gotten a chance to review the video of the conference.;
- No specific launch date was given. Nintendo did confirm the Wii would launch this year though.
- No price information was revealed.
- The Remote controller will include a built in speaker to add more realism to games.
- Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will be released for both the Gamecube and Wii. The Wii version will be enhanced to take advantage of the Wii controller.
- Sonic the Hedgehog game announced for Nintendo Wii
- Metroid Prime 3 announced for Wii
- Super Mario Galaxy announced for Wii
- Diddy Kong Racing announced for the Nintendo DS
- DK: King of Swing announced for the Nintendo DS
- DS Air flight simulator announced for the Nintendo DS
- Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass announced for the Nintendo DS
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 announced for the Nintendo DS
- Starfox DS announced for the Nintendo DS
Update 1: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will be released on both the Gamecube and Wii. The Wii version will take full advantage of the possibilities enabled by the Wii controller.
Update 2: Images on the Nintendo press website show a standard type gamepad for the Wii that would apparently be used for games played via the Wii’s backwards compatibility.
Update 3: Added a large number of titles that were announced for the Wii and DS to the list. Sorry for the delay on that Nintendo fans.
Stay with us for more information as it breaks!
XBOX LIVE MARKETPLACE E3 CONTENT – TUESDAY EDITION
Xbox Live’s Major Nelson is reporting in his blog that more E3 content is now available in the Xbox Live Marketplace. According to the list, here’s whats up for download currently;
Demos
Lost Planet Extreme Condition
Trailers
Call of Duty
Culdcept SAGA
Hitman: Blood Money
Lost Planet Extreme Condition
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
NBA 2K7
Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis
Tony Hawk’s Project 8
GAMESPOT GOES HANDS ON WITH PLAYSTATION 3 CONTROLLER
Gamespot has a nice first impressions article about the Playstation 3 controller. Based on their observations, the controller is lightweight and has a nice feel to it. They note that the R2 and L2 buttons are now analog triggers and that it appears that it will recharge via a mini-usb jack. Read more about it over at Gamespot.
NEW SUPER MARIO BROS VIDEO PREMIERES
Nintendo dropped us a line to let us know this week’s New Super Mario Bros video was up at the NSMB website. This weeks focus? Multiplayer. One week to go until this gem comes out, until then feast your eyes on the video here.
NEXT UP: NINTENDO AND MICROSOFT PRE-E3 PRESS CONFERENCES TODAY
Well, if yesterdays Sony excitement wasn’t enough for you, today Nintendo and Microsoft will be holding their press conferences to let everyone in on their plans for the upcoming year. While I don’t expect any huge surprises from Microsoft, Nintendo should still have an ace or two up their sleeves. The Nintendo conference begins at 12:30pm EST and Microsoft’s conference begins at 3:00pm EST. Be with us as we’ll be updating you as often as we can on the revelations both bring to light.
