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The Sims Sells 100 Million Copies Worldwide
2008-04-18 04:18:00
As the Sims series surpasses 100 million units sold worldwide, playing with yourself and others has never been so much fun.100 million Sims and counting...The Sims , already the top-selling video game in the world of all time, has officially sold more than 100 million copies since its launch in 2000.The brainchild of industry icon Will wright, The Sims has been translated into more than 20 languages and spawned dozens of expansion packs, and doesn't show any signs of stopping. The Sims 3 is already on the docket, with a release date set sometime in 2009.Joystiq pinged The Sims brand studio head Rod Humble today to get more info on the milestone and the Sims' wild success over the years, including which expansion packs have really piqued players' interests."Right now our players are keen to playing an expansion pack that focuses on living in a big city...other ideas I've seen in the community include a rave/party pack and science fiction pack," Humble said, humbly.Sports Legends U...
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Prediction: Grand Theft Auto IV Tops Halo 3 With $400 Million First Week
2008-04-18 04:13:00
Step aside, Halo 3. When Grand Theft Auto IV drops there's going to be a new week-one sales record in town.Just four? Try $400 millionFact: Grand Theft Auto IV will have an impressive launch. However, will the hype train drive it past the current week-one sales winner Halo 3 ?The survey says "yes" as sources close to GTA IV publisher Take-Two have reported it is expecting to sell six million units of Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV. In monetary terms, that translates into approximately $400 million in one week.According to Variety, Take Two is able to predict its early sales figures based on how many units retailers have ordered so far.Analysts have for the most part agreed with the prediction, and word on the financial street is the $400 million mark will be enough to knock Halo 3 from its multi-million dollar throne ($300 in the first week).Sports Legends Updates:Sports Legends TV Updates: We Have Just Added Lots Of New Movies And A New Season Of South Park! Check Out These New R...
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Nintendo Smashes DS Lite Redesign Rumors
2008-04-18 04:10:00
Nintendo put the kibosh on recent rumors about a new DS design at E3 this week, stopping just short of calling Enterbrain head Hirokazu Hamamura a crazy person.I like you just the way you areNintendo will be unleashing plenty of announcements at this year's E3 conference, but a new DS design won't be one of them.The company issued a stern denial today regarding the DS redesign rumors that started circulating after Enterbrain chief Hirokazu Hamamura cited insider's info about the peripheral's future."We cannot comment on the specifics of what will be announced at E3, but at the very least there won't be anything like what Mr. Hamamura suggested, so would like to clearly deny this. We're having a hard time understanding what kind of evidence [Mr. Hamamura] had for saying this," said Nintendo Japan's head of PR in a statement to the Yukan Fuji website.Previously, as reported by Sports Legends, Hamamura, who is also the boss of popular weekly Japanese gaming mag Famitsu, told inv...
More About: Nintendo , Rumors , Lite , Redesign

Redesigned PlayStation Store Looks New, Runs Slow
2008-04-18 04:06:00
Sony promised PS3 owners a quicker, more seamless shopping experience with the redesigned PlayStation Store , but so far it's been hampered by long load times and broken images.One word to describe the PlayStation Store today: SLOWThe PlayStation Store may be redesigned, shiny and new, but it's currently running like a BMW with a lawnmower engine. In other words, slow.The good news is that Sony is aware of the issue, and says it has taken steps to rectify problems that PlayStation 3 owners experienced when the redesign went live on April 15."We are aware that many of you have experienced delays whilst the PS Store's thumbnail icons are being downloaded. This is a temporary consequence of a new system implementation and high global traffic levels, and will be resolved within the next few days. Thank you for your patience and continued support!" wrote PlayStation community team leader Lestrade.No timeline for the repairs were given.And just in case you haven't done so yet, to exper...
More About: Playstation , Slow , Playstation Store , Runs

As Wii Fit Sells Out In UK, Nintendo Urges Consumers To 'Shop Around'
2008-04-18 03:59:00
Nintendo's pile of money is about to balloon ever bigger if the pre-order sell-outs and intense demand in the UK are any indication.Wii Fit also prints money, apparentlyMultiple sources are reporting this morning that the fervor surrounding Wii Fit, Nintendo's fitness-based Wii peripheral, has reached a fever pitch in the United Kingdom.At Videogaming247.com, no less than five major video game retailers were reporting Wii Fit shortages and sell-outs as consumers clamored for pre-orders.Play.com, Amazon.co.uk, Game.co.uk, Shop to.net and Zavvi.co.uk all greeted customers looking for Wii Fit pre-orders with similar messages. "Sorry, Wii fit is temporarily out of stock, please check again soon," read the response at Zawi.co.uk.For its part, Nintendo is advising consumers to "shop around" for Wii Fit, as it too anticipated high demand and the supply chain constraints that have become synonymous with Nintendo product launches.In a statement released to GamesIndustry.biz, Nintendo said: ...
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Madden 09 Lets You Get Your Dance On
2008-04-18 03:55:00
The chicken dance is noticeably absent, but nevertheless Madden 09 will feature a selection of user controlled end zone dances.Watch New England dance its way out of a Super Bowl win!The GameStop blog reports today that EA is poised to freshen up its 20-year-old Madden football franchise with user-controlled end zone celebrations."Gone are the days of just hoping your player will celebrate after a touchdown. Now you will be in control after a touchdown, and a simple push of the 'celebrate' button will allow your player to spring into action," said a GameStop rep.And if that player happens to be Chad Johnson, or any of the other players in the NFL who are prone to elaborate celebrations, he'll perform some of those dances you've seen him do in real life. Some would say it's ten too many, but Terrell Owens has more than 10 of his familiar celebrations available.Madden 09 will also feature different "Hot Spots" in the end zone which will produce special celebrations, like "dunking...
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Metal Gear Online Beta Unlocks On April 17
2008-04-18 03:52:00
Sony released a torrent of Metal Gear Online info today via the PlayStation.blog. If you have an MGO Beta UPVC, then Thursday, April 17th is the day to use it.Here comes the beta...If you have a Metal Gear Online Beta UPVC (obtained via pre-ordering Metal Gear Solid 4), then Thursday, April 17th, you will be able to download the MGO beta client at the PlayStation Store for your PS3.After that, all you'll have to do is wait some more, until April 21st to be precise, and you can design a soldier to your heart's content. Then we suggest you start blasting away your beta-wielding buddies online.The PlayStation Blog says it is important to note that your UPVC for the MGO Beta is good for only one PS3/PSN/PlayStation Store account, so players should not share it with anyone. If you do that means they get it and you're locked out!But enough negatives, here's the MGO meat:MGO features a character creation component that will be available in the beta. Each beta user will get one "charact...

Haze PlayStation Network Demo Arrives In Early May, Maybe
2008-04-18 03:49:00
Ubisoft today confirmed that a playable Haze demo will arrive "in early May."Does anyone else see the correlation between the name and the release date?Ubisoft announced today that a demo for Haze, its new FPS in search of a release date, would be hitting the PlayStation Network in "early May."The demo will feature a playable version of Haze's single-player campaign, as well as four-player, drop-in drop-out co-op play online.Previously, Ubisoft had a hard time nailing down the release date for the title itself, as it jumped from May, to May 22, and finally to the entire month of May after scattered media reports were continuously clarified and rehashed by the publisher. Presently, Ubisoft says the release date is set in stone on May 30.Sports Legends Updates:Sports Legends TV Updates: We Have Just Added Lots Of New Movies And A New Season Of South Park! Check Out These New Releases! Some Are Still In Theaters! Be Sure To Request A Show Not Listed!Flash Arcade Updates: We Have Jus...
More About: Playstation , Early , Demo

PlayStation Store, Shiny And New, Now Live
2008-04-18 03:46:00
The redesigned PlayStation Store is now live and ready to serve up previews, games and screenshots.It still has that new site smell!After a few hiccups and a brief stint of downtime, the PlayStation Store is up and running again today with a new coat of paint and an alleged better browsing experience.As part of the redesign, the PlayStation Store now lives natively as an application on the PS3 system, instead of as a Web-based page. Sony also promised dramatically improved navigation speed.Sony also promises that PS3 users can now more quickly and seamlessly shop, purchase and download PlayStation Network games, demos, game videos, Blu-ray movie trailers and other game-related content for PS3 system, said a Sony press release. Users can also preview their movies and other content before they buy.To experience the new store, users must update their PS3 with the latest system software, version 2.30, which was released today.Sports Legends Updates:Sports Legends TV Updates: We Have Ju...
More About: Playstation , Live , Playstation Store , Shiny

Nintendo Confirms Wii Fit $89.99 Price Point
2008-04-18 03:42:00
Get ready to get fit with Nintendo . The company officially confirmed the accessory will retail for $89.99 when it launches on May 19.Get ready, tubby!Nintendo announced this morning that Wii Fit, its new balance board creation targeted at the weight loss sect, will arrive in the US on May 19 with a suggested retail price of $89.99.The bundle will feature a mix of more than 40 yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance activities, Nintendo said in a statement."Wii Fit provides consumers with a fun, easy and affordable way to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. Using the included wireless Wii Balance Board accessory, every member of the household can step up and stay active, setting individual fitness goals and tracking their progress over time," Nintendo said.Consumers in the New York area who pre-order Wii Fit from the Nintendo World store in Rockefeller Plaza will receive a special bonus item. From April 18-20, the first 1,000 weight conscious consumers who place a $...
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Japan: Game Sales To Peak In 2008, Slide Thereafter
2008-04-15 00:48:00
Get your fun in now, Sports Legends readers, because Japan ese media giant Enterbrain predicts that 2008 is the best gaming is going to be for a while.It's a peak. Get it?The 2008 lineup for all systems looks pretty healthy now, but don't get used to it, says Japanese publishing giant Enterbrain Inc. After this year concludes with a fiery show of Gears of War 2, Metal Gear Solid 4 and, yes, even Wii Fit, it's all going to be downhill from there.Sound a little far-fetched? You aren't alone on that one. Nevertheless, Enterbrain read the tea leaves and went out on a limb today, saying that sales of video game consoles and software will peak at 710.4 billion yen in 2008 and fall to 671.1 billion yen by 2010."The market is likely to contract as brisk demand for games consoles, such as the Wii from Nintendo Co and the PlayStation 3 from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc, will run its course," Enterbrain Inc said in a statement to Kyodo News.Filling the void will be online games, which En...
More About: Sales , Game , Slide , Peak

[Shelf Life] In Stores This Week: Gran Turismo, Okami Wii
2008-04-15 00:43:00
Sports Legends lists the new and notable games for the week of April 14, 2008. Highlights include Gran Turismo 5: Prologue for PS3, Okami for Wii, and Rainbow Six Vegas 2 for PC.Though Xbox 360, PS2, and PSP owners get no new game love this week, PS3 owners get a meaty appetizer to Grand Turismo 5 with Gran Turismo 5: Prologue, Wii owners get to discover what all the Okami fuss was about in 2006, and PC gamers can play Rainbow Six Vegas 2 this week. Check out the full list:Nintendo WiiOkamiSummer Sports: Paradise IslandEmergency MayhemDream Pinball 3DPlayStation 3Gran Turismo 5: PrologueNintendo DSMLB 2K8 Fantasy All StarsRhondo of SwordsHigh School Musical 2: Work It OutCory in the HouseTeenage ZombiesPC GamesTom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2Sherlock Holmes: NemesisThe Sims 2: Double DeluxeThe Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Design StuffTurokFinal Fantasy XI: Vana'Diel Collection 2008Europa Universalis: RomeJack Keane and The Dokktor's IslandDancing with the StarsVirtual ConsoleFantasy Zo...
More About: Life , Week , Stores , Gran turismo

Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 Announced For PSP
2008-04-15 00:41:00
Sony on Monday confirmed the release of Hot Shots Golf : Open Tee 2 for PSP, promising improved online multiplayer upon release this summer.Sony to cup its second portable Hot ShotThe game, planned for release on PSP this June, will feature 16-person online multiplayer, 12 colorful courses, one-on-one local play, and robust character customizations, according to Sony.Said software director Jeff Reese: "With greater online capabilities, challenging new courses, and a variety of gameplay modes, Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 is a stimulating portable experience that delivers all the charm and fun the Hot Shots Golf series has to offer."Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 carries an MSRP of $39.99. No specific date was announced in the release. Sports Legends Updates:Sports Legends TV Updates: We Have Just Added Lots Of New Movies And A New Season Of South Park! Check Out These New Releases! Some Are Still In Theaters! Be Sure To Request A Show Not Listed!Flash Arcade Updates: We Have Just Added A...

Nintendo: What Mario Kart Wii Problems?
2008-04-15 00:36:00
Nintendo dismissed all reports of Mario Kart Wii errors today, stating the game is single-layer and not prone to the issues that plagued Super Smash Bros. Brawl.Are Japanese disc read errors giving Mario Kart Wii a flat?Nintendo summarily dismissed any and all rumors about Mario Kart Wii errors today, saying that the game is a single-layer disc and was therefore not affected by the crashes that plagued Super Smash Bros. Brawl.Several sites, including Eurogamer, GoNintendo and GameFront (German site), reported over the weekend that Japanese copies of Mario Kart Wii were causing loading issues and even system crashes.This morning Nintendo reps said there were no such reports filed with it in Japan, Europe or otherwise, and that Mario Kart Wii is only available on a single-layered disc.Sports Legends Updates:Sports Legends TV Updates: We Have Just Added Lots Of New Movies And A New Season Of South Park! Check Out These New Releases! Some Are Still In Theaters! Be Sure To Request A Sh...
More About: Nintendo , Problems

Unknown Developer Promises 'Impossible' Wii Graphics
2008-04-15 00:32:00
Poland-based developer Nibris pays no mind to popular belief or technology limitations, saying the graphically-challenged Wii can still display impressive visuals when compared to Xbox 360 and PS3.Newly released still shot of Sadness doesn't look that "impossible""We will have quite a few graphical effects in our game, which some believe are impossible to attain on the Wii," said Tomasz Wisniowski of Nibris, developer of Sadness. "Gamebryo helped make it possible."Gamebryo is a graphics engine made by Emergent Game Technologies. The most notable developers to use the middleware include Bethesda Softworks and Firaxis. Both the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and the upcoming Fallout 3 use the engine.Sadness is an exclusive survival horror game for Wii presented entirely in black and white. The game promises eight different endings, uses both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, and takes place circa the early 1900s.The title was originally being developed by both Nubris and Disney's Frontline St...
More About: Graphics , Developer , Promises , Unknown , Impossible

Poll: Parents Fear Game Sex, Gays More Than Decapitation
2008-04-12 05:29:00
This week's online poll from parental gaming site What They Play finds in-game sex more offensive than "a graphically severed head."The results, posted by site co-founder John Davison on his personal blog, say that "a man and women having sex" in-game is worse than "two men kissing," "a graphically severed human head," or "multiple uses of the F-word," which are all controversial topics within video games.Associate editor Brian Ashcraft of Kotaku offered a humble explanation. "I guess that's what happens when your country's founded by Puritans," he said, referring to the world's third most-populated country, the United States, where the poll publisher is based.What They Play, which launched in 2007, is self-described as "the parents guide to video games." The total number of poll respondents was not disclosed.Sports Legends Updates:Sports Legends TV Updates: We Have Just Added Lots Of New Movies And A New Season Of South Park! Check Out These New Releases! Some Are Still In The...
More About: Poll , Gays , Game , Fear , Parents

Famitsu Boss: New Nintendo DS Appears At E3
2008-04-12 05:24:00
Enterbrain boss Hirokazu Hamamura thinks he knows what Nintendo has up its sleeve for E3, and it's shaped like a new redesigned DS.Are its days numbered?Reggie Fils-Aime promised megaton-type announcements at this year's E3 in July, and Famitsu boss Hirokazu Hamamura thinks a redesigned Nintendo DS is going to be one of them.According to the oft-quoted NeoGAF forums, Hamamura, boss of Famitsu publisher Enterbrain, said Nintendo might use the glitz and glamor of one of the year's biggest gaming trade shows to announce a new DS model. Hamamura's remarks appeared in the latest edition of Weekly Famitsu, and was quickly answered by Nintendo with an industry standard "no comment."The PSP is surging in Japan right now, thanks to Monster Hunter, and Nintendo has been known to nip and tuck its handhelds in the past, so anything's possible, right? Let the pre-E3 speculation begin...Source: the original Bloomberg Nintendo DS article (in Japanese).The Verdict:There's a better chance of s...
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Capcom Confirms Africa Setting For Resident Evil 5
2008-04-12 05:18:00
In the wake of controversy suggesting racist undertones of Resident Evil 5, Capcom producer Jun Takeuchi explains the game setting in a recent interview with Japan's Famitsu magazine. "We really wanted to show the origins of the virus," said Takeuchi, speaking of Resident Evil 5. "So for the setting we thought, how about using the place where humankind was born... We thought we would use Africa , which is now called the birthplace of humanity."Capcom unveiled a teaser trailer for RE5 at E3 2007, which has a white protagonist (Chris Redfield) killing native African zombies. The video stirred emotions for some, suggesting the imagery developed by the Japanese game-maker was racist.On Thursday, Newsweek game journalist N'Gai Croal criticized Capcom in an interview with MTV Multiplayer saying the trailer lacked the necessary context to explain the imagery. He added, "clearly no one black worked on this game."Previous Resident Evil games have taken place in American, a fictional re...

Rockstar Reveals 4 New Grand Theft Auto IV Multiplayer Modes
2008-04-12 05:11:00
The official Grand Theft Auto IV website unveiled four new multiplayer modes on Friday, bringing the total number of known modes to eight of at least 15.The newly announced modes are as follows, as described by Rockstar .com:Team Mafiya Work (2-8 Teams)You're a member of a crew doing contract work for the mafiya - including such plum gigs as escorting wanted men, picking up MacGuffins and stealing cars. Work as a team to complete contracts before the time period ends and get the rewards. You'll probably want to do your best to scupper the other crew's hard work as well. Each contract you complete gives your team cash, and the crew with the most cash at the end of the round wins.Team Car Jack City (2-8 Teams)Cars spawn parked around the map and the teams must steal them and take them to a drop off point. The cash teams get for dropping off stolen vehicles depends on their condition - teams get less cash the more damaged they are. The exception to this are special bonus cars, stuffe...
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Ben Heck Creates 'Portable' PS3 Laptop
2008-04-12 05:06:00
Want a PS3 laptop? Ben Heck's been at it again, and he created one that's being auctioned off for charity.See Sony, now you really can call it a computer.It would seem there is no end to what master modder Ben "Heck" Heckendorn can do with a next-gen console.First, Heck created an XBox 360 laptop with a built-in camera and all sorts of other portable goodness. This week, the PS3 went under the modder's saw and torch and came out the other end as a slick looking portable laptop.Well, it's portable if you consider 16 pounds light enough to lug to the airport or the library. Other specs include:Original backwards-compatible 60GB model17-inch LCD HDTV screen: 720pHDMI-DVI connectionBuilt-in keyboard and USB portsstereo speakers, headphone jackEngadget is auctioning off this PS3 masterpiece for charity, so if you want a one-of-kind piece of video game history in your hands, get bidding. Just remember to factor in the price of a back brace and physical therapy if you win.Sports Legend...
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GamesForHeroes.com Helps Troops With Handhelds
2008-04-11 04:33:00
GamesForHeroes.com hopes to alleviate some of the strain on today's fighting men and women with a used handheld donation program.Game Boy and an M-16 carbine. Mmm.The Games for Heroes charity has a simple premise: provide soldiers who are in harm's way with a handheld or two to take their minds off the stress of battle during their down time.The creation of 15-year-old Peter Gallagher, GamesForHeroes.com is a legitimate, registered member of MarineParents.com. If you have a PSP you don't want anymore, or have moved on from Game Boy to the DS and wouldn't mind giving at away to a good cause, Gallagher is more than willing to take it off your hands and deliver it to the troops.Joystiq recently spoke with Gallagher, and discovered the site came about after a "Cheer Up the Troops " letter writing campaign he and friend Jack Wilson started with other area children while on their spring break.After submitting the letters to MarineParents.com, they learned that one of the most requested...
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USA Today Underscores GTA IV Naughtiness
2008-04-11 04:22:00
The nation's largest newspaper on Thursday justified the Mature rating of Grand Theft Auto IV, highlighting potential controversies that could upset parents, politicians, and religious groups.Looking for trouble in all the wrong placesAs in previous GTA games, players can kill police, run over pedestrians, and solicit hookers for a health boost. But as USA Today reports, GTA IV discourages mindless cop killing by penalizing players who do so with loss of money, weapons, and failed missions."Exotic pole dancers are in the game -- but there is no nudity, nor is there a hidden sex mini-game, à la 'Hot Coffee,' which landed the publisher in hot water in the past," the paper writes.Additionally, players will be able to drink and drive, a first for the series. The option to walk or catch a cab home after drinking with buddies exists, but driving under the influence will see blurred vision and sluggish vehicle controls."GTA IV contains plenty of foul language," concludes the article. "I...

Sony Confirms A Pair Of MGS4 PS3 Bundles For U.S.
2008-04-11 04:18:00
The official PlayStation Blog on Thursday confirmed the release of both the "gunmetal grey" PS3 and 80GB bundle pack in commemoration of the impending launch of Metal Gear Solid 4 on June 12.The Metal Gear Solid 4 Limited Edition PlayStation 3, previously announced for Japan, will be in "very, very" tight supply, says Sony . Details on pricing and availability were not yet disclosed.Sony also showed off the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 Hardware Bundle leaked earlier by Amazon, which is packaged in a white box. As previously reported, the bundle includes an 80GB PS3, a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4, and a DualShock 3 controller for a retail price of $499.Sports Legends Updates:Sports Legends TV Updates: We Have Just Added Lots Of New Movies And A New Season Of South Park! Check Out These New Releases! Some Are Still In Theaters! Be Sure To Request A Show Not Listed!Flash Arcade Updates: We Have Just Added Around 20 *NEW* Games For You To Play! Check It Out Today! The New Games Recently Added...
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GameStop Nabs Exclusive MGS4 Limited Edition ($85)
2008-04-11 04:09:00
Konami on Thursday unveiled official box art, pricing details, and an exclusive deal with GameStop to supply an $85 special edition of Metal Gear Solid 4.Left: MSG4 Limited ($85, GameStop); Right: Standard ($60, Everywhere)In addition to the identical game included in the standard box, Metal Gear Solid 4 Limited Edition includes collectible packaging, a second Blu-ray disc featuring two "making of" documentaries, and the Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Soundtrack CD. It will be exclusively available at GameStop for $84.99.For everyone else, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Standard Edition will be priced at $59.99. Both versions will exclusively arrive on PS3 June 12.Additionally, Konami detailed the MSG4 pre-sell program for participating stores that entitles any preorder, regardless of version, to a special Metal Gear history DVD (Saga Vol. 2) and access to the Metal Gear Online Beta which runs from April 21 through May 5.Sports Legends Updates:Sports Legends TV U...
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Source: Elebits Sequel Shocking Its Way To Wii
2008-04-11 03:57:00
Wii launch title and sleeper hit Elebits could be getting the sequel treatment according to one Cubed tipster.Elebits is Ele-back for WiiAccording to the April issue of Official Nintendo Magazine, a sequel to Wii launch title Elebits is in the works.The magazine reveals that Konami are working on Elebits 2 and it is scheduled for release on Wii "later this year," according to a summary of the article over at Cubed.For the uninformed and Wii-allergic, the original game allowed players to harness the power of the Elebits, a tiny race of electrically charged beings. Playing as Kai, you would search for Elebits using a Wiimote-controlled power gun. The game also featured a user generated content component that allowed players to design levels and send them to friends via the Nintendo Wi-Fi service.Sports Legends Updates:Sports Legends TV Updates: We Have Just Added Lots Of New Movies And A New Season Of South Park! Check Out These New Releases! Some Are Still In Theaters! Be Sure To R...
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Play Rock Band For $378... In Europe
2008-04-10 01:35:00
If you love Rock Band and live in Europe , be prepared to pay a premium for the interactive title when it launches on May 23.Maybe they should call it "Rock Band : Pay Through the Nose" editionEuropeans are now used to paying slightly higher prices when it comes to their video games, but with Rock Band they'll have to dig even deeper into their wallets if they want to play on May 23.According to reports at Eurogamer and Kotaku, the single all-in-one package enjoyed by gamers in the States will not be an option across the pond. Instead, there will be two separate products available at launch. The first is the "Instrument Edition" (£130/¬170), which comes with a guitar, drums, and mic but no game. To get the disc, you'll have to shell out an additional £50/¬70. Total cost to rock in the Old World? £180/¬240 ($378).Harmonix, for its part, is blaming taxes for the hike. In an interview with Videogamer, Rob Kay, design director at Harmonix, said "a myriad of little differences that all a...
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Source: Mario Kart Launch Could Signal Wii Price Cut
2008-04-10 01:31:00
According to French site Jeux-France, the pending arrival of Mario Kart Wii could be accompanied by a 50 Euro price cut for the console.Mario Karts come with a price cut power up now?Nintendo Europe is denying it, but rumors of a Wii price cut to coincide with the launch of Mario Kart Wii have surfaced on the Net this week anyway.Jeux-France was first to break the news that a new bundle containing Mario Kat Wii and the console would launch alongside the game this Friday.The price? About 199 Euros, roughly 50 Euro less than what the Wii Sports bundle retails for in Europe today. The Wii Sports bundle, in turn, would be reduced to 159 Euro.Nintendo of Europe has told GamesIndustry.biz that reports of an impending Wii price cut are "rumor and speculation."Given the insane sales of the Wii console to date, a price cut at this point in time wouldn't make a whole lot of sense, given the fact that supply constraints still plague the console. Even so, the one-two punch of Mario Kart and Wi...
More About: Source , Launch , Price , Signal

Games For Windows Dropping Print, Going Online
2008-04-09 06:05:00
After nearly 27 years in printed form, Games for Windows Magazine (formerly Computer Gaming World) will become online-only starting next month, publisher Ziff Davis said on Tuesday."[The announcement] has nothing to do with the Chapter 11 stuff," said Simon Cox, VP of content at 1UP Network, in a blog post. "Both the eyeballs of PC gamers, and the essential advertising dollars needed to sustain a PC gaming magazine are moving online at an alarming pace... it was time to put [our] efforts where the most people could see the results: Online ."In 2006, Computer Gaming World rebranded itself as Games for Windows Magazine in a partnership with Microsoft. Last month, parent company Ziff-Davis filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy citing total debt upwards of $1 billion.Computer Gaming World, founded in 1981, is reportedly the first magazine entirely devoted to video games. The news comes as the popularity of PC games continues to decline when compared to the increasing growth of consoles.Sports ...
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Rockstar: GTA IV Multiplayer 'Is A Serious Time Sucker'
2008-04-09 06:01:00
Online enthusiast needn't play Grand Theft Auto IV alone for longer than five minutes should they choose, because according to Rockstar , multiplayer by itself more than goes the distance.GTA IV Online: "Be careful if you're married," says Rockstar"If players want they can jump online and never even play the single-player again," said Jeronimo Barrera, vice president of Rockstar game development, in an interview with GameTap. "Online is a serious time sucker. You're going to have to be really careful if you're married."In February, Rockstar said the single-player campaign alone will "take about 100 hours to complete... if you're not in a rush." Assuming the multiplayer is as addictive as promised, GTA IV could go on to become the most enduring game of the year.Grand Theft Auto IV will incorporate the near-seamless jump from single-player to multiplayer with two clicks of a button using an in-game cell phone. More than 15 ranked and unranked online modes will be on tap come April...
More About: Time , Multiplayer

Game Informer Lubes Gears Of War 2 With New Details
2008-04-09 05:57:00
Additional details for Gears of War 2 surfaced on Tuesday by way of the popular NeoGAF online community.According to transcriptions from the May 2008 issue of Game Informer posted on NeoGAF, new multiplayer modes, expanded co-op play, a "darker and more heartfelt" story, and "huge numbers" of on-screen Locust will be present when Gears 2 ships for Xbox 360 this November.Reportedly, co-op will support varying difficulty settings for each player, such that one person can play on Hardcore and another on Casual. Additionally, players will be able to easily drop in and out of co-op play, reveals Game Informer.Regarding the original announcement that the sequel will be bigger and better than the original, lead designer Cliff Bleszinski says: "We have creatures that make the Brumak look like a baby panda bear."The Verdict:So far the thing really is sounding bigger and better. Biggest game for 360 this fall? I'm leaning towards yes, if only on the back of the original's success.Sports Leg...
More About: Details