Late Night Consoling

Talking to members of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, jolly 'ol Bill Gates revealed a few key facts about the next-gen Xbox. First, it will release this year. He also mentioned that if you were familiar with the Media Center edition of Windows XP, you'll feel at home with the Xbox 360: "...when you use Xenon you'll see a menu a lot like that that lets you get photos, TV, music and all those different things." He wrapped it up by saying he's confident they'll come out as #1 this console war.

The leader of Team Ninja, Tomonobu Itagaki, had a few things to say about the future of Tecmo. First, he promised at least two more titles for the Xbox. One being a reissue of Ninja Gaiden that includes the Hurricane Packs. Next, while he reaffirmed Dead or Alive: Code Cronus as an Xbox title, he also heavily hinted that it'll be taken to the Xbox 360, keeping us in mystery as to what the other title will be. He mentioned 90% of Team Ninja's energies is focused on Xbox 360 games. IGN also has translated details on Japanese interview, where he mentions he's been so busy, he's only slept 40 minutes the past 4 days.

Two new Sonic The Hedgehog titles have been discovered. A PSP release looks likely as a new listing on GameStop.com suggests as much. No other details were revealed. However, in the latest issue of Play Magazine, they had details on a second Sonic Collection for the GameCube. Sega has decided to FINALLY deliver Sonic CD, which is considered by many (me included!) as the best Sonic game of all. Also to be in the collection is Sonic the Fighters, a polygonal Sonic arcade game released in the arcades. Read up on that game here.

The leaked images of the next-gen Xbox keep on rollin' in. It basically has the same look of the previously leaked photo, but the enhanced definition of the photo shows the Start and Back buttons have migrated into the middle of the controller and the right buttons now follow the X, Y, A, B scheme. There's a wire showing, so this may likely be a prototype, or even possibly a hoax. Almost there!

GameCube owners and WWE fans should be pleased to hear that THQ plans to release a sequel to WWE Day of Reckoning. New features will be "dynamic limb damage, new signature moves and grapples, and AI that more significantly differs between the WWE superstars." It'll release this Fall.

GameSpot talks with SSX4 producer Steve Anthony. They also have a video interview regarding NCAA Football 06.