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Late Night Consoling

by Chris Remo, Jan 13, 2006 8:00pm PST
Related Topics – Sega, Namco, Ubisoft, Capcom, Sony, Virtual Console, Nintendo DS, Games: Console

Do you read Shacknews? Okay, stupid question. Well, do you like to cook and/or eat food? If so, you should check out the new ShackFood Wiki, where Shackers can browse a categorized selection of tasty treats as well as post their own. Check it out. If you want to add your own recipes or edit anything that's already there, you'll need a latestchatty.com account. Sign up here (requires a Shacknews account at least 30 days old with at least 30 posts). Thanks to rosewood and c0bra for ShackFood and thomw for the LatestChatty.com authentication system. Also, it's my brother's birthday today. Happy Birthday, Alex!

  • Bruckheimer Handling Prince of Persia?

    [ps2] [xbox] [gamecube]
    Hollywood blockbuster producer Jerry Bruckheimer might be in charge of the big screen treatment of Jordan Mechner's character the Prince of Persia. He briefly mentioned the property to film site ComingSoon.net: "Then we have a thing called 'Prince of Persia,' which is a big video game, that we're considering doing." Presumably, such a film would be based on Ubisoft's Sands of Time trilogy. Mechner himself still owns the rights to his creation, so let's hope he makes sure it stays in the right hands.

  • Ballmer is an Optimistic Man

    [xbox360]
    At the very end of an interview with Investor's Business Daily, Microsoft's Steve "Developers" Ballmer commented very enthusiastically on the prospects of the Xbox 360 versus Sony's upcoming PS3. Ballmer called the launch "phenominal, absolutely phenominal," and when asked about the Japanese launch, said that while Microsoft expected it that to be a difficult market, "I'd still call the launch phenominal." Ballmer expects Microsoft to overtake its main competitor. "I'm not sure we're going to beat Sony in Japan this generation. Maybe. But we're going to beat Sony [worldwide]. We're off to a very good start." He downplayed the PS3, noting that it still has no firm worldwide release date, price point, nor real gameplay footage. Ballmer also pointed out the high cost implied by the included Blu-ray drive. Finally, he noted that "Sony has no strategy for an online service."

  • Multiplatform Dragon Quest?

    [ps2]
    Dragon Quest head Yuji Horii spoke at a London event commemorating the European launch of Dragon Quest VIII (PS2), the first game in the series to make it to Europe. Apparently, on press briefing sheets, the question "Are they (sic) any plans to release this title on different platforms or game consoles?" was answered with a rather surprising "TBD." Horii went on to discuss, of all things, the Revolution controller. It is not clear whether this was in response to a specific question or part of his presentation. When speaking on his motivations for working in games, he said, "I loved the fact that it was interactive, that you do something and you get feedback. ... I like the idea of interactivity with the hardware, so there, where you mention the Nintendo controller, it's a new interface, and it's exciting to have that reaction. You do something, and it reacts to you. It's human nature that to have some feedback from your actions it (sic) rewarding." Might the project lead and producer be making designs to branch out his series to Nintendo's upcoming machine? Despite Dragon Quest's absolutely insane popularity in Japan--with games from the franchise not being released on school/work days because of the high number of absenses and convenient calls-in-sick--it has never achieved anywhere near the same weight in the West. However, Horii remains hopeful that its popularity in Europe might rise. "We just did the best we could. From meeting you guys and other [Europeans], I know now that fans of Dragon Quest in the west are huge otaku, that they're big fans, so I want to give them more chance to play the game."

  • Revolution Rumor Roundup

    [nintendo]
    Some bits of information regarding the "Virtual Console" part of Nintendo's upcoming Revolution surfaced in the last few days. IGN has some mock-ups of a possible Revolution online service interface from a recent marketing survey. Though the rather crude screenshots "are preliminary in nature," they give at least some kind of indication of how the service might work. Potential pricing schemes were also mentioned. There may be a $14.99/month subscription service allowing access to any available game, as well as individual NES games for $2.99 and N64 games for $19.99. Again, it should be pointed out that all information in the article is preliminary and should not be taken as some kind of uncovered news. In that vein, despite the screenshots showing the games listed by console, a Nintendo patent describes a variety of ways users could sort the games, such as by franchise. Perhaps most intriguing bit of information was a list of (again, tentative) possible "launch" titles for the service. IGN points out that Sin & Punishment, in the N64 list, was never previously released in the US. Of course, all the company's major franchises such as Mario, Zelda, Metroid, and so on are present. Me? I just hope Tetris 2 stays on the list. The vs. mode in that game is just awesome. Additionally, Revolution Report pointed out today an update to Nintendo's patent for their Virtual Console technology. Being merely an update, most of the information was already revealed by Revolution Report when the found the patent the first time. One of the changes was that, rather than simply specifying Nintendo's legacy consoles, the patent now includes consoles of "other manufacturers." This fits in with comments by Sega that Nintendo consoles are now the "spiritual home" of Sonic the Hedgehog, which came with implications that classic Sonic games may appear on Revolution. The patent also notes that the system would be capable not only of emulating home consoles but also "a hand-held portable game system," which might include Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, or (less likely) DS software.

  • Nintendo Mum on DS Redesign

    [ds]
    Nintendo responded to rumors that the DS will be receiving a retooling some time soon. Unfortunately, the manufacturer refused to actually confirm or deny the claim. From IGN:
    "Clearly, Nintendo DS continues to be one of the most popular and talked-about video game systems available. Through 2005, some 13 million units have sold worldwide. Nintendo is always looking for ways to improve its games and systems, but we have nothing to announce at this time."

  • Taito Busts Up PSP

    [psp]
    Japanese publication Famitsu reports that Taito will be bringing its classic Bust-a-Move/Puzzle Bobble franchise to PSP under the name Ultra Puzzle Bobble Pocket. That game is set to launch in Japan on March 23. There was no indication of whether or not the game would make it to Western shores.

  • I Believe in the Phantom

    Infinium Labs, theoretically home of The Phantom Game Service, has announced via a press release today that Greg Koler will be replacing former Infinium CEO and Xbox co-founder Kevin Bachus. Koler will serve as CEO and President, and well as interim CFO Officer (chief financial officer officer?). Infinium claims that The Phantom Game Service will be brought to market this year.

  • UWE BOLL ON METAL GEAR SOLID!!!!!(?)

    [ps2] [ps3]
    1UP, which seems to be Uwe Boll's main point of contact with the gaming press, has contacted the director regarding a recent interview suggesting Boll might be in consideration for directing the upcoming Metal Gear Solid film. Boll confirmed to 1UP that he was indeed sent the script, though he did not disclose any of its plot points or characters.

  • Misc. Q&As/Features

    Revolution Report has a chat with ATI's John Swinimer regarding the graphics card company's work on Nintendo's upcoming console. GameSpot has a developer interview on Criterion's Black (PS2, Xbox) and Designer Diary #2 for EA's The Godfather (PS2, Xbox, X360, PSP, PC).

Misc. Media/Previews

PS2
IGN previews a Japanese demo of Clover Studio's Okami (PS2) and checks out Capcom Production Studio 2's Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams (PS2). GameSpot takes a look at Namco's Tales of Legendia (PS2) (so does 1UP). Movies: Makai Senki Disgaea (PS2).
Xbox/X360
GameSpot previews Pseudo's Full Auto (X360, also PS3).
Portable
GameSpot checks out NBA Ballers: Rebound (PSP) and Byte Hell 2000 (PSP). Screenshots: Harvest Moon: Innocent Life (PSP). Movies: The Rub Rabbits! (DS).
Multi
1UP previews Criterion's Black (PS2, Xbox). Screenshots: Sonic Riders (PS2, Xbox, GCN).

Console Game Of The Evening [Submit Yours!]

Shining Force II for the Sega Genesis. "A bit longer and more polished game then the first one. My favourite in the series. This game should be the role model for all tactical RPGs." (submitted by SilverSnake)


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Comments

24 Threads | 122 Comments
  • #91
    Refresh Thread
    By: dantastic This person is cool! x
    Reply
    TRAUMA CENTER HELP

    I just started playing trauma center. Even though I'm pretty squeamish with operations and stuff on TV and I have no interest in the medical profession, I find this game fun. My problem starts on the level where you laser off the polyps from the musician's throat. The magnification tool drives me crazy. I keep running out of time because I spend so much time circling with the magnification tool without anything even magnifying most of the time. Does anyone who has had this problem have any tips for drawing the circle to magnify the area? This is a gamestopping issue for me unfortunately. :(
    Jan 14, 2006 11:40am PST