Late Night Consoling

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$28.95 for the UMD version of The House of Flying Daggers? I'm sorry, what? I have to pay more for a UMD movie than I would the DVD version? Good luck with that, Sony! Here's what I'm guessing is going through their minds. The PSP plays near-DVD quality movies, so in essence, it's a portable DVD player. Therefore, when consumers want Hollywood on the go, they'll pay the extra dough to get it. I guess that may work with those careless with their monies, but I'd never pay the price of a GBA game to watch a 90 minute flick on a tiny screen. Of course, the other movies are slightly less expensive at twenty bones, but when I could still get the DVD for less, I don't see the benefit. But I'm a guy that drives himself everywhere and doesn't really have spare time to use a gaming device on the go, so I'm probably not in their target market.
  • Midway Arcade Treasures 3 Announced

    [ps2] [xbox] [gcn]

    Another set of Midway arcade games is coming to the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube, this time with a racing theme in mind. Still retailing for $19.99 and set for release in the fall, Midway Arcade Treasures 3 includes eight racing games: Badlands, Hydro Thunder, Off Road Thunder: Mud, Sweat 'N Gears, Race Drivin', San Francisco Rush The Rock: Alcatraz Edition, San Francisco Rush 2049, S.T.U.N. Runner, and Super Off Road & Bonus Tracks Pack.

  • UMD Movie Prices for US

    [psp]

    Sony revealed today that the UMD movies set for release on April 19 will sell for $19.99. Again, those movies are XXX, Hellboy, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Also announced was that The House of Flying Daggers will go on sale on April 19, however it will cost $28.95.

  • Wireless Controllers Standard for Xbox 2?

    [xbox]

    According to some of The Inquirer's "moles," Microsoft's follow-up console to the Xbox will ship with wireless controllers as the standard. Apparently Microsoft has been aware of the strong sales of third-party wireless controllers and it wants to continue being the trend-setter. No details were available on how it will be powered or if the rumble feature will be included.

  • Europa Universalis II for DS

    [ds]

    Paradox Interactive announced that it plans to port Europa Universalis II to portable platforms, including the Nintendo DS. EU2 is a strategy game similar to Age of Empires whereas you take a civilization through a large period of time in an attempt to conquer the world.

  • Eidos' First PSP Title

    [psp]

    Eidos announced its first PSP title and it's called Smart Bomb, developed by Core Design. It's a launch title for the U.S. and it's puzzle game described as "...all about compelling, high pressure gameplay. The player's PSP becomes a bomb with over a hundred bomb deactivating puzzles to solve against the clock," said Clint Nembhard, producer at Core Design.

  • Yuji Naka Talks About the Future

    The latest issue of British magazine NOM UK had an interview with Yuji Naka, the father of Sonic The Hedgehog, and he had some interesting things to say. For instance, he's taking his time with Sonic DS, working hard on making it a quality title and it may be a while before it's released. However, the new Sonic game for the GameCube will be playable at E3 and released sometime this year. Finally, he mentioned another Phantasy Star Online game will come in the future, but didn't reveal much more than that.

  • Conker Delayed?

    [xbox]

    The eagle-eyes at TeamXbox noticed that both GameStop and EBgames updated their online listings for Conker: Live & Reloaded, changing its release date from March to June 21. The official site for the game still lists the date as March 2005, but online retailers have been spilling some beans lately.

  • Enthusia, Chainsaw Controller Dated

    [ps2] [gamecube]

    Konami sent out a press release saying it plans to ship Enthusia - Professional Racing on May 3. Also, NubyTech's odd and interesting chainsaw controller finally has a release date: February 28. It was planned to sell alongside Resident Evil 4, but it appears things fell through. It will sell for $49.99. IGN has a write-up of the device here.

  • Misc. Q&As/Features

    [ps2] [xbox] [gcn] [ds] [psp]

    GameZone talks with designer Robert McCracken about FIFA Street. IGN talks with producer Nick Ferguson about Need for Speed Underground 2 DS and producer David McCarthy about EA's Team Fusion lineup of PSP titles.

Misc. Media/Previews

PS2

GameSpot has a hands-on with Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows.

Xbox

GameSpy has new images for Forza Motorsport.

Portable

An official trailer for Spider-man 2 (PSP) is at GameSpot.

Multi

GameSpot spends time with Rainbow Six: Lockdown (PS2, Xbox, GCN) and new shots of Battlefield: Modern Combat (PS2, Xbox). EuroGamer offers impressions of Super Monkey Ball Deluxe (PS2, Xbox). GameSpy has video of NARC (PS2, Xbox).

Console Game Of The Evening [Submit Yours!]

Stunt Race Fx for the Super Nintendo. "Sweet graphics and jumps! FX Chip! Plus that kickass motorcycle!" (submitted by splodinjoe1).

From The Chatty
  • reply
    February 16, 2005 8:01 PM

    Some sales figures for January are floating around:

    PS2 GRAND THEFT: ANDREAS $11,102,990 241,105
    PS2 MERCENARIES $8,963,925 182,621
    PS2 NEED SPEED:UNDRGRND 2 $6,944,176 142,465
    PS2 NFL STREET 2 $5,406,236 108,684
    PS2 MADDEN NFL 2005 $3,612,687 125,264

    GCN RESIDENT EVIL 4 $16,392,040 319,197
    GCN MARIO PARTY 6 W/MIC $3,100,818 63,128
    GCN MARIO POWER TENNIS $1,440,515 29,335
    GCN PAPER MARIO: THOUSAND $1,188,315 24,074
    GCN NFL STREET 2 $1,119,546 22,508

    XBX MERCENARIES $9,883,701 201,139
    XBX HALO 2 $5,607,576 124,027
    XBX NEED SPEED:UNDRGRND 2 $4,190,432 86,064
    XBX THE PUNISHER $3,054,866 61,833
    XBX SW:KNIGHT REPUBLIC II $2,956,659 59,580

    GBA ZELDA: THE MINISH CAP $6,423,125 216,969
    GBA KINGDOM HEARTS: CHAIN $3,754,890 110,297
    NDS SUPER MARIO 64 DS $3,313,954 109,087
    GBA POKEMON FIRERED W/ADP $1,478,530 42,435
    GBA THE INCREDIBLES $1,467,566 50,027

    Well done Mercenaries and RE4.

    • reply
      February 16, 2005 8:04 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      February 16, 2005 8:11 PM

      the differance between RE4 and the other gamecube games is crazy

      • reply
        February 16, 2005 8:30 PM

        Shows that Cube owners also want mature games.

    • reply
      February 16, 2005 8:54 PM

      good job, RE4!! the game really is that amazing, too. cool to see the thousand year door & minish cap are doing pretty decent as well.

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      February 16, 2005 9:13 PM

      I hope those numbers for RE4 are good numbers for the businessmen.

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      February 16, 2005 10:31 PM

      Mercenaries XBOX is selling more than PS2? Is this a first?

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        February 16, 2005 10:52 PM

        it happens every so often, it's getting more common these days.

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      February 16, 2005 11:49 PM

      Hopefully those RE4 numbers will remind publishers and developers that the GC is still around :(

      • reply
        February 17, 2005 6:31 AM

        The problem is that these numbers are always short term on the cube. Most everyone that wants it will pick it up within the 1st month.

        • reply
          February 17, 2005 8:17 AM

          It's still selling strong. Few people have returned the game back used. (According to the guys at the game store) And many people have picked up a Cube just to play it. (Myself included)

      • reply
        February 17, 2005 9:46 AM

        No one is starting new development for any of the systems.

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