Late Night Consoling
So as you might have noticed already if you looked over this post before reading this sentence (if not, go look now!) I've switched to the "Kefka" format for the Misc. section. After looking over all the comments (which really did run the gamut), I decided the best thing to do would just be to pick one and then tweak it later based on feedback. So after narrowing it down to three choices, I went with Kefka. This is not (I repeat: not) final, and I may switch to another one if I decide this isn't working out. But for now, I'm going to try it and see how it fits in. For those who were pushing for Gannon: I tested a two-column variation, and when seen with the spot-ads we run here (if you're a Mercury subscriber, turn ads back on to see what I'm talking about), it wasn't pretty. So now that I've picked one, hit me with the feedback on how I can improve this further. Oh, and before anyone suggests extra colors: there are two reasons I can't color-code the platforms...the first is simply that it would slow me down when I write these posts (I use a highly customized Dreamweaver MX installation and I really zip through much of it as a result), but the second and bigger reason, is that it would make LNC look too different from the rest of the site. Icons I'm cool with...but once we start adding colors, it's getting out of hand.
| N-Gage Launch a Success? Reuters ran an article today that quotes a Nokia representative as saying that 400,000 N-Gage units were sold in the first two weeks. That's a huge leap from the previous numbers we've seen, as you may recall reading here that there were less than 500 across 6,000 game shops in the UK in its first seven days, and one source said there were just 5,000 sold in the US in its first week. Even if the 400,000 figure is accurate, Reuters points out that that's roughly the same number of handsets Nokia produces in a single day, and for a global launch, that's peanuts. Analysts quoted weren't particularly impressed by these figures either. |
| GP32 European Launch Canceled Mitsui, the producers of the GamePark 32 handheld system announced today that they have canceled their planned European launch of the system. The reason cited is the shaky financial situation of the handheld, which will no doubt be a real disappointment for those who have been eyeing the system, which is still available from import retailers, and has generated a small-but-thriving community online thanks to the system's open platform and ability to emulate other systems. |
| Gran Turismo 4 Prologue Announced At the Tokyo Motor Show today, Sony of Japan announced Gran Turismo 4 Prologue, which will sell for ¥2980 (roughly $27) when it's released in early December. The game is sort of a primer for the full game (which won't be out until next year) and will utilize the same graphics and physics engine as the final game, and contain five courses and a rather lengthy list of playable cars. No US release has been mentioned yet, and one isn't too likely. |
| Famitsu Grades Mario Kart, Wario Ware GC Computer and Video Games has posted some of the review scores from the latest issue of the Japanese magazine Famitsu. Mario Kart: Double Dash walked away with a 36/40 (broken down as 9,9,9,9) and is said to be one of the best games available for the GameCube. Also rated is the GameCube port of Wario Ware, which earned a 32/40 (broken down as 8,8,8,8). |
| US Pricing for PSX Revealed CVG is reporting that Sony has announced that when it's released here early next year, their PSX ubersystem will retail for $800. It's not clear which model this refers to, as in Japan the 160 gig model goes for roughly $750, while the 250 gig model is around $907. |
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| Nintendo Not Buying Bandai GameSpot has a report up about a press conference Nintendo held today to officially denounce the rumors that they are looking to merge with or buy Bandai outright. While a purchase was ruled out, Nintendo did tantalizingly suggest that if offered, they might be interested in buying a larger stake in the company. |
| More on the GTA3 Lawsuit This AP story that ran today offers some more details on the lawsuit being filed against SCEA, Take Two Interactive, Rockstar and Wal-Mart by the families of the victims of an attack by two kids who were supposedly inspired by Grand Theft Auto III. The $246 million suit is being brought by |
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| New PSO 1 & 2 Plus Details 1UP has posted the latest details to come out of Japan about Sega's upcoming Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2 Plus, a GameCube re-re-re-release of the game to celebrate the release of PSO III: C.A.R.D. Revolution. The games will contain all the quests released to date, including ones that were only available online. No release outside of Japan has been announced (or even suggested) yet. |
| Misc. Media/Previews | |
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| New shots from Baten Kaitos and Pokemon Coliseum are up at The Magic Box, |
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| New shots from Monster Rancher 2 and a new trailer from Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest are up at GameSpot. |
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| GameSpot has a new preview of Maximum Chase, IGN has new footage from Project Gotham Racing 2, GameSpy has a new preview of Armed & Dangerous, Team Xbox has new shots from Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon, CVG has a new trailer from SWAT: Global Strike Team and HomeLAN goes hands-on with Armed & Dangerous. |
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| GameSpot has new previews of LOTR: The Return of the King (GC, PS2, Xbox) and Battlestar Galactica (PS2, Xbox), IGN has a hands-on look at XIII's multiplayer mode and new media from Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, NBA Ballers, Mission: Impossible: Operation Surma, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Worms 3D (all GC, PS2, Xbox). Over at GameInformer there's new footage and details from Need for Speed Underground and new movies from Sphinx and the Shadow of Set (both GC, PS2, Xbox), |
