Virtual Console Monday: Questing Games Galore!

I don’t know how this one slipped past me but yesterday Nintendo released three new game for the Wii Virtual Console. Here are the details:

ActRaiser™ (SNES®, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): A masterpiece of game design originally released in the early days of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System®, ActRaiser’s enduring popularity stems from its revolutionary combination of action- and simulation-based game play. The user plays the role of the Master, a dethroned deity whose once-idyllic world has fallen under the control of the Evil One. Stripped of godly power, the Master must somehow put an end to the Evil One’s reign and rebuild his desolate realm. Game play alternates between two modes: Action and Simulation. In Action mode, the Master must battle against impossible odds to pacify six lands. Pacifying a land unlocks Simulation mode. In this mode, the Master must oversee the development and repopulation of the territory he has reclaimed. In doing so, he will gain followers who gradually restore his godly might, empowering him to take back the next land and, ultimately, defeat the Evil One.

Kid Chameleon™ (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): The local arcade is packed with kids, all lining up to play the latest, most realistic video game they’ve ever seen. It’s called Wild Side, and it uses holographic images to immerse the player in a strange world. But there’s a problem… Kids are literally getting sucked into the game, and now several of them are trapped. Throughout more than 100 levels, you’ll take on several different forms, such as a Berzerker, a Micromax, a Maniaxe or a Skycutter, which will make you much more powerful. It’s up to you, Kid Chameleon, the best gamer in town, to get yourself inside the game so that you can defeat the game’s boss and bring your friends back to reality.

J.J. & JEFF (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): This comical action game features two bungling detectives, J.J. and JEFF, as they travel through a total of six fields. One day, a request comes into their office to take a case that requires them to “rescue a wealthy man who’s been kidnapped.” Choose between the two characters and set off alone to outwit your partner and save the day. Each field is broken down into four areas, where enemies, as well as your partner, will try to keep you from your goal. There are many items throughout each area. Kick around in various locations to make them appear. Jump and spray-paint your way toward your goal. If you find a hidden room, you can regain health while being completely entertained by its short sketch and surreal allure.

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PS3 Firmware 1.8 Announced

Well, it’s not the 2.0 firmware update that we were (hoping) looking for, but at least we have something…and it’s not a small update either. Firmware 1.8 incorporates something that a lot of people have been waiting for, DVD and PS1/PS2 game upscaling. Other features listed in the press release. This update is set to hit on May 24th.

London, 24 May 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced today availability of the latest version of the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) firmware. Version 1.80 features upscaling of PlayStation® and PlayStation®2 games, and DVD movies up to full 1080p HD resolution when viewed on a compatible HD TV set.

The capability to upscale DVDs to HD quality is a feature normally only associated with top range DVD players, and its inclusion in the latest firmware upgrade now allows PS3 owners with an existing DVD collection to dramatically1 enhance the viewing pleasure of their DVD collection when viewed through a compatible HD TV set. Not only are DVD movies enhanced to full 1080p HD quality but so too will PlayStation 2 and PlayStation games be upscaled to provide much improved gaming pleasure.

In a comprehensive update to PS3’s already impressive capabilities, Version 1.80 also allows users to enjoy Remote Play on their PSP across the internet, allowing them to access their PS3 anywhere in the world where a broadband internet connection is available2.

Version 1.80 also allows users on a home network to seamlessly view and play rich media content such as images, music and video on their PS3, that is stored on their DLNA3 enabled devices such as PCs and laptops elsewhere in the house, reinforcing PS3’s credentials as a home entertainment hub that truly deserves pride of place in the Living Room.

A host of other enhancements includes the ability to print photo images stored on PS3’s hard disk drive or inserted storage media to a selection of Epson printers via USB connection.

PS3 owners will be able to upgrade their PS3 with the latest Version 1.80 firmware from 24th May 2007.

Notes:
1. DVD-ROM (including DVD Video content) can only be upscaled with HDMI compatible TV sets.

2. Use of Remote Play requires PS3 version 1.80 as well as PSP firmware version 3.50 which will be available at the end of May.

3. DLNA – Digital Living Network Alliance. For more info on DLNA, please see http://www.dlna.org/en/consumer/home

Warhawk Beta: Acceptance Confirmation?

Well a lot of buzz has been going around the official PlayStation forums, as well as PS3forums.com, that some people have found a way to tell if you have been accepted into the Warhawk beta or not. Basically, by checking account management on your PS3, you will be able to see a little confirmation for the Warhawk beta.

To check, go to Account Management, then Transaction Management, then View Services. If you’re lucky, you’ll see something that says Warhawk beta. If not, there will be nothing there.

Unfortunately for me, there’s nothing there. Maybe you guys will get a little bit luckier. Comment if you get in!

Wendy’s & Nintendo team up to give away Wii systems, Wii games or Wii Points cards

Wendy’s & Nintendo have announced a sweet(pun intended lol 😛 ) contest. When you buy a Wendy’s Frosty Float you will get a code on the cup then you enter said code at http://www.frostyfloat.com/ and see if you have instantly won one of 800 Wii systems, 800 Wii games or 800 Wii Points™ cards! You can also enter without purchasing anything by visiting http://www.frostyfloat.com/index.tbapp?page=alternate_form once a day.

Check out the full press release after the jump 😀

Nintendo Announces Summer DS/Wii Lineup

The DS and Wii game drought is going to be over soon. Today Nintendo revealed it’s summer lineup for the DS and Wii. Some of the more high profiles games are Mario Strikers Charged, Metroid Prime 3 Corruption and Boogie for the Wii and Picross DS, Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations for the DS. Check out the press release for the full list of games after the jump 🙂

Virtual Console Monday: Donkey Kong Country 2, Streets of Rage 2 & Blazing Lazers

Nintendo has released three new classics for the Wii Virtual Console. They are Donkey Kong Country 2, Streets of Rage 2 & Blazing Lazers. Check out below for more info.

Donkey Kong Country 2™: Diddy’s Kong Quest™ (SNES®, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): In the sequel to the immensely popular Donkey Kong Country™, Diddy Kong® gets the spotlight, along with his girlfriend, Dixie Kong™ – a great little monkey with a dangerous ponytail. The action starts on the wreck of King K. Rool’s Gangplank Galleon that has apparently broken up on a reef offshore from the Kremlings’ Island. Diddy and his friends will have to work together to rescue Donkey Kong®, exploring all the hidden areas of the Kremlings’ island: a spooky haunted forest, treacherous swamps, a giant beehive oozing with sticky honey and lava-filled caves, just to name a few.

Streets of Rage™ 2 (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): To celebrate their defeat of the Syndicate exactly one year before, Blaze, Adam and Axel met for drinks. The next morning, Axel received a frantic phone call from Eddie “Skate” Hunter, Adam’s younger brother, whom he was living with on the edge of the city. Blaze and Axel found Adam and Skate’s house wrecked, and a picture showing Adam chained up at the feet of Mr. X. The city then once again returned to its nightmarish state as criminals ran rampant. Unable to contact their old friend in artillery, Axel and Blaze team up with Skate and Max Thunder to free the city and rescue Adam from the Syndicate. It is up to you to take down Mr. X once and for all.

Blazing Lazers (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): Blazing Lazers is a vertical-scrolling shooter that was praised for surpassing the limitations of the hardware of its time. Players control the extraordinary firepower of their Gunhed Star Fighter to take on the Dark Squadron that has begun its invasion of Earth. Collect power-ups to increase your ship’s battle strength so it can cut through enemies and defeat the bosses in all nine areas. Of course, as part of the “Soldier” series, the game contains a good combination of fast-paced speed with catchy, drum-propelled background music, coupled with the Field Thunder that can be used to destroy enemies in one fell swoop for the ultimate sense of satisfaction. With its fine-tuned difficulty levels, Blazing Lazers is a shooting game that anyone can enjoy.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

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Sony Gamers Day 2007 Coverage

Talk about info. overload lol A bunch of sites have posted up info. on the new PS3,PSP and PS2 games from Sony Gamers Day event. Check out the links below for more complete coverage of Sony Gamers Day event.

PS3 Fanboy
PSP Fanboy
IGN PS3
PSP IGN
1UP

Wow awesome stuff it’s going to take me all day to read through everything lol 😛

SOCOM on the PS3!

Sony has announced a new SOCOM headed to the PlayStation Store. The new PS3 game is entitled SOCOM Confrontation, and is an online only game. It will be sold both online and on Blu-ray disc, a la Warhawk and is due out this holiday season.

The game will support up to 32 people, clans and customizable uniforms, according to the developers. It will also feature a number of playable special forces units from around the world.

SOCOM Confrontation Fact Sheet

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: Slant Six Games
Platform: PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system
Genre: 3rd Person Shooter (Online Only)
Players: Multi-player (32 players)
Launch Date: November 2007
Rating: ESRB M, PEGI 16+
OVERVIEW

Following its success as the number one online PlayStation®2 franchise,
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs breaches onto the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system in high-definition this holiday-season. SOCOM Confrontation delivers the ultimate next-generation online combat experience made possible by the power of PS3.

SOCOM Confrontation focuses on online play and the global community and clans that support it. With support for Tournaments, Clan Ladders, Leader Boards, this latest title in the multi-million unit selling franchise is exactly what SOCOM fans have been clamoring for. Additionally, players will be able to modify their appearance through facial and physical customization.

A global-scale experience, SOCOM Confrontation gives players the opportunity to battle against the best and brightest from the U.S., Europe and Asia.

SOCOM Confrontation deploys with five new North African themed maps, including a 32-player version of “Crossroads.” Additional themed packs for SOCOM Confrontation will be made available for download via the PLAYSTATION®Store.

Warhawk Beta: May 24th!

Great news for all of you waiting to play this online only title. Sony has announced that the beta will be available on the PlayStation Network on May 24th. How to get in? Head on over to the Warhawk official site, and register. This doesn’t guarantee that you get in, but at least you don’t have to buy a game to play the beta, unlike another beta we know about.

http://www.us.playstation.com/Warhawk/

In other Warhawk news, there will be a Blu-ray disc version of this game. It will come with extra materials, including developer interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and a Bluetooth headset.

Halo 3 Beta Downloads via Crackdown are fixed!

Via Bungie.net:

Halo 3 Beta Downloads via Crackdown are fixed!

It’s been a long day for a lot of people but we’re happy to announce that effective immediately, a title update for Crackdown is available on Xbox Live that will fix the issue that previously prevented you from downloading the beta. The Microsoft team just deployed this fix and when you launch Crackdown you should receive a prompt to download the update.

Please note that it could take up to four hours for your console to receive this update based on various factors. However, the good news is that we’re in the clear and Halo 3 gameplay is just over the horizon.

We realize this has been a pain for many and an inconvenience at the very least. Given the circumstances, we’ve decided to extend the duration of the Halo 3 Beta from June 6th to June 10th at 11:59 PM PDT. So, you lost almost a full day of play today but to make up for it we’re tacking on four more days (and a weekend at that).

We apologize for the delay and hardships this issue has caused and hope that it quickly becomes a distant memory clouded by good times playing Halo 3 with your friends.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding. We’ll see you online!

Note : A rare bug has been discovered that sometimes results in improper text display in the game UI. Basically, you won’t see any text at all. If you encounter this issue, you can fix it yourself by doing the following:

1. Restart your Xbox 360
2. Boot up the Halo 3 Beta
3. While the Halo 3 Beta is loading, immediately press up on the D-Pad and hold the A button until you see the Bungie logo. If you perform this correctly a dialog box will appear confirming maintenance has been done to your system.
4. Resume the Halo 3 Beta!

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FINALLY! 🙂