Late Night Consoling

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Before I jump into the console news for the night, I'd like to mention that I've been working on tweaking the Shack Headlines Bar since last night, and I've made some good progress. There shouldn't be anyone with any lingering JavaScript errors, since I've had to disable that cool script that disabled the full headlines in the status bar (thank you very much, IE6). I'm working on it though, and if there's anyone out there who's a total JavaScript whiz, get in touch with me so I can pick your brain. More importantly, I've streamlined the process by which I add new news feeds to the system, and that means I can do so more frequently. So if there's something you want to see (and know actually has an RSS/RDF/XML feed to syndicate from) be sure to send that in. I've still got a few features left to work on...I'll be adding the ability to launch links in a new window shortly (Update: it's in there...enjoy!) and I'll be tweaking it a bit to let me use feeds that only have <description> tags, like Neil Gaiman's blog and a few others. Beyond that, I really want to add the ability for users to change the display order...fortunately the groundwork for that is already in place, I just need to come up with an elegant way to integrate it. As always, feedback is greatly appreciated. With that out of the way, let's get to the news.

Xbox Steel Battalion Live Add-on Confirmed
As several readers pointed out, this interview at Computer and Video Games not only confirms that Steel Battalion will be hitting Xbox Live (that we knew), but that this will be an add-on for the original game, not a sequel. Good news for those who broke the bank getting this game.
Xbox Capcom vs. SNK 2 This Week!
At long last, Capcom will be releasing Capcom vs. SNK 2 for the Xbox this week. Here's IGN's review, which is now free for subscribers, and while it's not 100% enthusiastic, it praises it for its online mode, which for many people (myself included) is the big draw in the first place.
Xbox Microsoft Pre-Installing Xbox Live?
According to ActiveXbox, Microsoft has begun pre-installing Xbox Live on new Xbox systems. This does not mean you don't need to purchase an Xbox Live starter kit, but it does pave the way for that eventuality at some point down the road.
GameCube Phantasy Star Online Celebrates Valentine's Day
Those darn romantics at Sega will be posting a new quest for Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II in time for Valentine's Day. The quest involves finding different kinds of chocolate, which can then be exchanged for gifts with other users.
Xbox Fable Interview
The first part of Xbox.IGN's massive Fable interview with Big Blue Box's Dene Carter is online tonight. Carter answers a slew of questions about the game, and his comments are in line with those from others recently, which seem to be bringing this incredibly ambitious RPG back down to earth slightly from what the original hype suggested.

GameBoy Advance

Working Designs on GBA?
As noted in this story at Games Are Fun, Working Designs' Vic Ireland recently dropped hints that the company may consider releasing games for the Game Boy Advance, albeit at a slightly higher price. As any 2D RPG fan will tell you, WD does great work, and if this is what it's going to take to get Shining Soul released in this country, I'm all for it.
Xbox Indy on Xbox First
According to PlanetXbox, the Xbox version of Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb will be released on February 25th, followed by the PC version on March 18th, and the PS2 port trailing behind sometime in May.
Xbox

Tao Feng Preview
A new preview of Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus can be found over at GameSpot tonight. On a related note, new shots from the game are up at Xbox.IGN.

PSOne FF Origins Release Date
SquareSoft has announced that Final Fantasy Origins, otherwise known as their PSOne remakes of FF I & II, will be released in this country on April 8th, for the reasonable price of $30.
PS2 Gradius in ZOE 2
As reported at Games Are Fun, the latest issue of the Japanese magazine Famitsu reveals that a 3D version of the classic Gradius will be included as a bonus mission after the completion of ZOE2.
Xbox Tell Rare What You Want
This page at Rare's official site asks readers to write in with their suggestions for classic Rare franchises that should be resurrected on either the Xbox or Game Boy Advance. Put me down for Killer Instinct.
GameCube PS2
Misc. Media
Some new shots from Legend of Zelda: Master Quest are up at Cube.IGN along with the first shots from Bomberman Generation, the latest game in the long-running series. And over at PS2.IGN they have new shots from Drag-On Dragoon, the awkwardly titled RPG from the post-merger SquareEnix.

Console Game of the Evening: Conker's Pocket Tales for the Game Boy Color. This game is really weird, especially since it was created during that period of time where the game that became Conker's Bad Fur Day was supposed to be a cutsey platformer for kids. After CBFD, it became unintentionally funny, since I kept waiting for him to start swearing like a sailor.
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