InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Some in-package pictures of Animated “Cybertron Mode” Optimus Prime are now available.
2. Some new Takara release dates have been made available, as well, with many items pushed up from early next year to this month, just in time for Christmas.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. From The Official TMNT Web Site:

   NECA’s TMNT Leonardo action figure is listed for pre-order in the December 2007 issue of Diamond Comic Distributors catalog “Previews” on page 420. Below is a picture of the final paint deco, which, if you’ll pardon my enthusiasm, is totally killer!

   Check him out.

2. Also, check their website for a huge press release from 4Kids regarding the future of the Fab Four in TV, toys, video games, and more, plus word of the 25th anniversary celebration coming in 2009.
3. A trailer (I assume new) is available for the Wachowski Brothers’ new Speed Racer movie.

   Wow, what can I say? John Goodman as the dad? Um, ok. The races really look like something out of some kind of cartoon, though. Which makes it weird when you watch the scenes that aren’t.

4. Just in time for that other anime-turned-live-action-American-movie, Dragon Ball, will be a deluxe-sized re-release with bonus material, announced Viz today.

Video Power

1. Rumor has it that in Europe, Nintendo might be eliminating the competition in the arena of DS Flash Cards by purporting that the third-party peripherals use software in violation of a copyright, all so that they can send their own licensed versions into the market unimpeded.
2. On the upside for Europeans? Stars can be swapped for Wii Points now. (Oh, and the site’s back.)

   Which brings to mind an interesting thought: didn’t Perrin Kaplan cite shipping as a hurdle and reason for no Club Nintendo in America? These don’t cost anything to ship, do they? Unless for some reason they insist on sending you Wii Points Cards by mail…

3. Seems there’s a solution in sight for the Wii Guitar Hero III sound issues.
4. Looks like the ESRB has a new campaign in place for the parents of Delaware to ignore/dismiss.
5. Hey, how about that? Nintendo decided to respond to the whole Greenpeace bit after all.
6. Oooh, eight minutes of No More Heroes, and 1up has a preview, too.

   But as usual, sucks to be Europe, though it could be worse.

7. So that you don’t have to waste your Sunday night (sorry, Mr. Jackson), here are the winners of Spike TV’s Video Game Awards.
8. Beware when making online video game– maybe any other kind– of purchases.
9. Excellent DS Lite deal at Toys R Us in Canada, with $40 off.

   Of course, with the current rate of exchange, I’m not sure the deal is as good as it COULD be, but all the same, worth noting.

10. Looks like GameHead is dead, to be replaced by GameTrailers TV.
11. Coca-Cola: It’s There (.com).

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Looks like IDW is running a contest that gives the winner a chance to do some TransFormers cover art.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Totally NSFW, but who can resist a trailer for Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay?
2. Jamie Chung to play Chi Chi in the Dragon Ball movie. Sure, why the hell not?

Video Power

1. Following yesterday’s reveal of the first screenshot of Street Fighter IV, Capcom offers the following press release:

   CAPCOM? KICKS OFF THE NEXT GENERATION OF FIGHTING GAMES WITH STREET FIGHTERTM IV

   The Next Round of the Definitive Fighting Game Experience Combines 3D Graphics with Classic Street Fighter Feel

   Capcom?, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today officially announced development of Street Fighter? IV, the next iteration of the genre-establishing fighting game series. This marks the first new entry announced in nearly eight years, following the acclaimed Street Fighter III Third Strike.

   In its amazing twenty year history, Street Fighter has revolutionized the fighting genre and created a global legacy like no other. Few details have been released on the new game, outside of a heart-pounding preview trailer that set the gaming community on fire when it was released in October on the official website, StreetFighterWorld.com.

   Capcom is proud to announce the return of four classic ?World Warriors? in Street Fighter IV: returning favorites Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, and Dhalsim. The characters and environments are rendered in stylized 3D computer graphics (CG), while the game is played in the classic Street Fighter 2D perspective with additional 3D camera flourishes. The traditional six-button controls for the game will return, with a host of new special moves and features integrated into the input system. Mixing tried-and-true classic moves and techniques with all-new, never-before-seen gameplay systems, Street Fighter 4 brings a brand new fighting game to fans the world over.

   Everything that made the legendary Street Fighter II a hit in arcades, living rooms and dormitories all over the world has been brought to bear here, with even more surprises. With the inclusion of Capcom’s latest advancements in new generation technology, Street Fighter IV promises to deliver an extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts.

   Features:
   ? 2D/3D fighting environments
   ? Classic Street Fighter characters re-imagined for a new generation of gamers
   ? New special moves that go beyond any Street Fighter fan’s wildest imagination
   ? Amazing locations never seen before in a Street Fighter game
   ? New gameplay elements provide new challenges for both newcomers and the most seasoned Street Fighter pro.

   And Ryu couldn’t be more excited.

   You can follow the new announcements here at 1up.com’s Street Fighter IV hub, but interestingly enough, it seems that 1up may have been one-upped by a Brazilian gaming blog known as Blogeek, which introduces two new screenshots that I’m willing to bet aren’t fake, along with some new info.

2. Good news for Dead Or Alive and Xbox-era Ninja Gaiden creator Tomonobu Itagaki, as he’s been found not guilty of sexual harassment against a coworker.
3. So, yesterday Rockstar released the new trailer for Grand Theft Auto IV, and I have to say, it is truly the crispest, sharpest PS2 game I’ve ever seen.
4. Rumor has it that a new Mega Man game called Mega Man Scramble Battle is on its way to the Wii in the last quarter of 2008, or first of 2009. Follow the link to see some thoughts on the plausibility of this one, among other considerations.
5. Super Smash Bros. Brawl: bad news for Europe, not-so-bad news for the US.

   Plus, Smash Bros. DOJO!! seems to really be letting on through its updates that the game was supposed to be out already. Today’s talks about “With Anyone/Basic Brawl” on WiFi.

   One neat part is that if someone disconnects/is disconnected from the match, then the computer takes over for the duration. That’s a feature I can appreciate, as I hate being in a heated online match and having the whole thing just suddenly stop. Pity it doesn’t count for when you’re facing Friends, only strangers.

   Sakurai also brings up his thoughts on the issue of hidden characters being spoiled by playing against strangers, and confirms that most hidden characters will be unlocked by playing The Subspace Emissary.

   As for the lackluster state of updates these days, I have a theory, something to consider:

   I heard these updates were done weeks, if not months, ahead of time. So maybe these were meant to be updates for when the game came out, meaning that when these dry up, perhaps we’ll get something a little more substantial.

   But as pointed out to me, the wording of tonight’s update doesn’t really mesh with that, but then, it could have been edited as well. Just some things to consider.

6. SEGA has updated the trademark on Dreamcast, but why?
7. I was wondering how long it’d be before someone figured to release a wireless nunchuck for the Wii controller. Granted, removing the wire pretty much eliminates the “nunchuck” parallel for which the accessory was named, but all the same…
8. Guess that patching those Wii Guitar Hero III games wasn’t an option, as Activision is going to offer free replacement discs to those with the faulty wares.
9. Nintendogs, get ready for SEGAcats! Or something.
10. It’s a rather crummy move that publishers are taking lately to release games that heavily emphasize accessories, feature multiplayer, but then leave you with the game bundle as the only means of obtaining any further accessories.

    And it turns out that Time Crisis 4 is no different. Can’t they just sell these things directly online to willing customers?

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. New images of the upcoming Revoltech Rodimus and Starscream figures have emerged.
2. Damn, Don’s off of TransFormers for now? That sucks. Guido’d better not leave, too, or else that’ll be a lot of people really upset– including me!

Assorted Mushrooms

1. The Official TMNT Web Site reports that the “Tales of the TMNT Volume 1 Series Treasury Edition” was delivered to Diamond Comic Distributors yesterday, and ought to be hitting shelves over the next couple of weeks. Tales #41 is still in production, but ought to see daylight by the end of the month as well.
2. Another sneak peek at the 2K8 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series reveals a new character, but who is he?
3. Disney’s website has an interesting new trailer for Power Rangers Jungle Fury, featuring several clips from beast-themed Rangers past. Curious among these is Wild Force, which while logical, defies the notion presented that Disney is trying to distance themselves from the Saban iterations as much as possible.
4. If you dig Chuck Norris, then these stories from Newsweek and Yahoo might interest you as The Bearded One lends his power to Mike Huckabee’s campaign.

Video Power

1. Finally… Street Fighter IV revealed!

   Very impressive art direction.

2. Ok, so there are a lot of DVDs of old video game cartoons out there I’d love to get my hands on. Super Mario Bros. Super Show, Captain N: The Game Master, The Legend of Zelda, The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, Captain N and the New Super Mario World, Sonic the Hedgehog, Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, among others.

   I actually have the first part of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show as a Christmas gift from last year (the Shout! Factory stuff isn’t really sold here in Canada), alongside Mega Man and Street Fighter.

   But Sonic Underground‘s impending release this month doesn’t exactly titillate my desire for video game cartoons. Though the first US cartoon appearance of Knuckles would be something of a draw, having heard his voice sort of negates it.

   I don’t know. If I got it as a gift of something, I’d probably give it a fair shake, but it’s not something I’d be eager to throw money at to import, you know?

3. Clearly, the negative press must have been too great a burden to bear, as GameSpot has finally begun to open up a little about the firing of Jeff Gerstmann.

   Elsewhere, Gerstmann has shared his thoughts via e-mail with MTV’s Stephen Totilo.

   And amidst all this, GameSpot’s taken a little editing liberty with the review in question.

4. Really need to get the Xbox 360 online, so I can download games and demos and stuff, like this new Burnout Paradise demo hitting on December 13th.
5. There’s a new game in town… and it’s called, “Can You Top This?”

   Ok, so it’s not really a NEW game, per se, but the way it’s being played is, as apparently EA still wants to be the biggest.

6. Evil Avatar reports that Amazon.com is having a pretty cool video game sale. Don’t have Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door for GameCube yet? Now’s the time, at $10.
7. The Smash Bros. DOJO!! update of the night is King Dedede’s Final Smash.
8. No More Heroes: Travis Clothes and Death Metal, aka “fun with sharp objects.”

   Plus, IGN has a look at the various jobs you do to earn money.

9. Should the government regulate games? Apparently, 60% of adults, or in simpler terms “way too f#@$ing many” would seem to believe so.

   Curse you, you shoulder-shrugging sheep! You’ll damn the entire lot of us!

   The ESA, meanwhile, feels that the poll was “unethical.”

10. On a related note, new blacklist today. One that seems a little more relevant than yesterday’s. Game|Life counters with their own “are recommended” list.
11. Congratulations to Tomonobu Itagaki for his not guilty verdict of his alleged sexual harassment suit. Now, when can we expect the next DOA?
12. A new Final Fantasy IV trailer appears!
13. So, the DS version of Ghostbusters will allow you to run the business? Interesting… reminds me a little of how you’d have to save and spend money on things like gas in the old NES game.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

Sorry about missing last night, wish I hadn’t… now I’ve got a four-in-one update to do. Ugh. Still, had to deal with a massive letdown involving work, and I just was not in the mood. Anyway, on with the show…

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. If you can’t wait until next June-August to get your hands on the Bumblebee toy from the TransFormers: Animated cartoon, due to debut later this month, you can always join in this auction. But getting ahold of it sooner’s going to cost you. Otherwise, you can just look at the pics in the meantime.
2. Also in the meantime, whether you bid or not, you can check out the package bios for Bumblebee, Lockdown, and Prowl.
3. Some new images have come up, depicting the Allspark Power Jungle Bonecrusher and Overcast toys from the Movie line.The first wave of Allspark Power is now being sighted at retail.
4. New Real Gear recolors are on the way, featuring Midnighter XR-4 and Farsight T-20, which use the Meantime and Longview molds respectively, and a green recolor of High Score 100 known as Twitcher F451….do these numbers even MEAN anything?
5. New pictures and info regarding the Movie line’s “Premium Series” can be found here. Prime with a sword and new head? Rock.
6. There’s a rumor a-buzzin’ over who may be back for TransFormers 2. Who is it? Click at your own risk.
7. If you’re in or near Wisconsin, and BotCon’s too great a trip for you, maybe DairyCon 2008 is the place for you….seriously, it’s still about TransFormers. Honest!
8. A peek at Titan UK’s TransFormers comic-’zine reveals that IDW’s Grimlock will be getting his own time in the Spotlight soon, as drawn by Marcelo Matere, artist for the Soundwave Spotlight.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. A Chinese factory who produced those toy beads has apologized for the poisonous props.
2. He-Man.Org has an update on the DVD release of the 2002 Mike Young He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon series. Since there’s no proper link to the story, I’ll repost here:BCI Eclipse has released the cover image and Extra Feature details for Volume One of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon produced by Mike Young Productions! Each episode will include the original moral segments! (never seen on Cartoon Network) Other extra features (which are subject to change) include:

   * ?World of He-Man? Documentary

   * He-Man Heroes Still Gallery

   * Never before seen Heroes Sketch Gallery

   * Audio Commentary on 5 episodes with director Gary Hartle, Story Editor Dean Stefan and writer Larry DiTillio. Moderated by Ian Richter

   * Three commentaries have extended discussions after the episode ends and have been shot in High Definition

   * Animatics of the first 3 Episodes

   * 2007 San Diego Comic-Con He-Man Panel

   * Scripts for eps 1-13 (DVD-Rom)

   * 8 Page Episode Guide booklet

   * 2 Masters of the Universe Collectible art cards by acclaimed comic book artists Ben Templesmith and Dustin Nguyen

   * Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) – Digital Stereo

   Check out the cover, featuring all new art by Emiliano Santalucia! Here and here.

   Volume 1 – Coming February 19, 2008
   Volume 2 – Projected to be released in April of 2008
   Volume 3 – Projected to be released in the Summer of 2008

   In regards to a Blu-Ray release, a BCI rep has said on the forums that “The Blu-Ray will not be coming out at the same time. We have some features that take advantage of the BR tech and they are going to take longer to produce. We don’t have a street date for that one yet.”

   Thanks again to He-Man.Org for all the great info, I can’t wait for this one to come out.

3. Batman vs. Terminator? Not exactly, though it’d be cool if this inspired it, after that whole Batman vs. Predator run.
4. GameSpite has us covered for what releases this week in DVDs, games, and anime.

Video Power

1. The Cap*Community US blog and “Top Secret” (the Bionic Commando site) are offering fans of Mega Man a chance to win a special autographed, handdrawn picture of the Blue Bomber by Keiji Inafune himself.
2. Smash Bros. DOJO!! has four, count ‘em, four updates waiting for us today!Starting the week off in rather unspectacular fashion (remember, the game was originally supposed to come out Monday. No “apology” update of anything really good, unfortunately) is a telling of how the Friends List feature works, followed by some returning Pokemon.

   Tonight’s update was a little more substantial, as we got some music from a Japan-only Game Boy game, the predecessor to Star Fox known simply as X.

   Sakurai also talks a little about battling for the Smash Ball, which reveals that Final Smashes can be turned off (to the relief of some), and in some cases, if you loseWeight Exercise enough times, you can revive on the field with a Final Smash already set to go, so you can help even things up a little.

3. Three new additions to the Virtual Console this week, none especially noteworthy. There’s ZANAC on the NES, Eternal Champions for the Genesis, and The Dynastic Hero for the TurboGrafx16, which is basically another version of Wonder Boy or Adventure Island.Are any of them worth the money? Well…

   Plus, get the skinny on Asteroids on Xbox Live Arcade, too.

4. Ok, not to trivialize the whole situation with Jeff Gerstmann, but I’m lumping it all together here. And for those not wanting to give GS your traffic, these are all links to AMN or other sites, given the general boycott and all.The remaining GameSpot editors have spoken out about the situation via podcast, and rumor is that there could be a major staff exodus. They’ve officially announced Gerstmann’s departure, while denying that it had anything to do with advertising, and a freelancer has given his two cents on the NeoGAF forums.

   Eidos, meanwhile, has been caught red-handed in falsifying review scores in ads for the game in question, while Gerstmann tells Joystiq what he’s legally able.

   Other websites have done other things to show their support, as well.

   Now, it seems that CNET Vice President and Editor-in-Chief Jai Singh has had enough and is performing a little investigation.

   If you’re wondering why this is such a big deal, and why there are so many links talking about it, here’s one more as Ars Technica explains.

5. And I’ll be honest, without any irrefutable proof, I’m a little iffy on the whole boycott thing.
6. Activision and Blizzard have announced a merger, and as a result, stocks have soared. Now that they’re bigger than EA, it seems they’ve decided to adopt one of their strategies, though they say the merger will not affect quality.EA says “bring it on.” Now them’s fightin’ words!

   For those interested, here’s a complete FAQ on the merger.

7. Missed out on The Orange Box because your console of choice is a PS3? No worries, your version comes out in a week.
8. Bioshock downloadable content is now available.
9. Over in the UK and here in Canada, Xbox 360 owners can finally start catching up with the rest of the world (US, anyway) with their Marketplace.
10. Back over here, at least in the US, Xbox has initiated a sort of Arcade Hits program.
11. Remember that news that the original NiGHTS Into Dreams was coming to PS2? Well, forget about it, unless you’re good to import.That goes double on a Wii version.
12. The dark side of GameTap is revealed as a few major publishers have ended contracts with the company, resulting in the loss of about 70 titles.I kinda feel a little bad for them, given they just made their “1,000 titles” announcement.
13. Hope you don’t like playing Monster Hunter or Resident Evil: Outbreak online TOO much; the online segment is finished come the end of the year.
14. Cool, a new Twisted Metal game for the PS2. Sort of.
15. Looks like the beam katana gameplay in No More Heroes can get pret-ty messy…In addition, GameTrailers has treasure hunt, sinister villain, and subway showdown gameplay, among others.
16. Nintendo is looking to improve release time between non-Japan countries globally. I’m glad to hear it, and this should really benefit Europe and Australia, as noted. Here’s hoping other companies follow suit.
17. At EB/Gamestop locations, if you can’t get ahold of a Wii, they’re supposed to give you one of these.Um… thanks?
18. Looks like the need to get Rock Band guitars repaired isn’t all bad…
19. An MMO fighting game? Now there’s an idea with some potential. And to play as Ken or Chun Li is just icing.
20. Some good news and bad news about the upcoming Ghostbusters game.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

I have NO idea why I’m updating right now. It was a very slow day from what I’ve seen, and I’d normally save it for Saturday night anyway, and yet… I find myself compelled. As though my computer is telling me “write, and you will find something.” And so here I am.

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Word on some new releases, at least in Japan. Revoltech Starscream and (Hot) Rodimus are on the way, as well as some neat exclusives. A G1 Ratchet reissue is colored to mimic the Movie version of the character to some degree, while E-Hobby has an Ironhide reissue that seems to do not only that, but is also the original Diaclone colors, too.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Looks like Batman Beyond is back, though perhaps too briefly.
2. Yet another unbelievable celebrity death in Evel Knievel.
3. Sweet! South Park is going online, and for free!

Video Power

1. Cnet makes a statement regarding the firing of GameSpot’s Editorial Director, Jeff Gerstmann, which really answers absolutely nothing.

   But, if this rumor is true, it may say a few things worth noting.

   And could new management have played a part?

   Elsewhere, the denizens of the net reacted pretty much how you’d expect.

2. Coming soon to the Virtual Console, Pokemon Snap will be the first VC game to have changes made to take advantage of some Wii features.

   Now how about an upgrade pack for Super Mario 64, or the ability to trade custom tracks/levels in Excitebike and Wrecking Crew?

3. Two more trailers for No More Heroes.
4. Startropics coming to Virtual Console? That’d be pretty cool, since it’s a slighty-Zelda-ish (in terms of basic gameplay) game from Nintendo I just never really got to play back in the day.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Something to consider before accepting that job on the graveyard shift.

   Doesn’t do much for one’s attention span, either.

Video Power

1. And the final Smash Bros. DOJO!! update of the week, and final update before the original release date of December 3rd, is the return of Melee Stages, such as the Great Temple seen here.
2. Wow, I feel really awful for the staff at Hudson that were just laid off, and right at the start of the Christmas season, no less. That’s as harsh as it gets. Half the staff! Is there a worse time this could have happened?

   Kotaku has a statement from Hudson regarding the firings.

3. Meanwhile, Sony seems to have finally given their ad firm the boot as well. Guess Saliva-infused commercials were too little, too late. Or maybe it’s because they’re still using PSP ads featuring that really annoying guy.

   Be sure and check out the wacky new Euro ads linked within as well.

   Oh, and for the record, only the last two paragraphs of the Editor’s Take are me. For whatever reason, someone decided to add a few things…

4. Oh, word is that Sony has picked Deutsch as the new guys in charge of the ads.
5. Microsoft thinks they’ve got the best lineup of games going into the holiday season, and they might be right.

   If you’re wondering why the hell Spongebob is there, the original tip for the story took me here, and “greatest release schedule ever” made me think “best day ever” from the Spongebob movie, and was originally used in the title.

   Now, I just look like some sort of an ass. But at least you now know the reason why.

6. To cover production, Konami is claiming that Metal Gear Solid 4 will need to sell one million copies on its first day.

   I say, no way in hell. MAYBE if they release it in all available countries simultaneously. Maybe.

7. Word of advice: Don’t download the new PS3 update. Seriously, do they even test this crap before sending it out?
8. Penny Arcade broke the news earlier this evening via their latest comic strip, which can be seen in the following: 10-year GameSpot veteran Jeff “8.8″ Gerstmann got the axe over his Kane & Lynch review. In an unusual appearance on the Penny Arcade forums, Gabe even stepped up to verify that the event upon which the comic strip was based was true.

   I don’t like this one bit, but until something a little more verifiable comes down the line, I’ll still link to GameSpot. But if it’s true, you can expect my support to cut off. Yeah, I’m sure it’ll hurt them tons, but this is about principle, dammit.

   For those interested, you can check out the review here, though it’s the video review that seems to be drawing the heat.

   Joystiq has a shot of what the site looked like mere hours ago before it all went down right here, as well as some general suspicions about the whole thing.

9. A new trailer says that Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity is on track for a release on January 8th.
10. Wouldn’t it be cool if Penny Arcade Adventures came to the Wii? Mike ?Gabe? Krahulik seems to think so.
11. Domino’s Pizza and Microsoft are teaming up to bring you XII Days of Xbox when you order a pizza online, with prizes including 2-day Live Gold subscription cards and Xbox 360 units with Project Gotham Racing 4.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. A new press release for TransFormers: Animated reveals that while the toys may be delayed, “the show will be premiering as planned, with a three-episode movie airing on December 26 and the full series beginning on January 5, 2008 on the Cartoon Network.” There are some other details available as well, such as those surrounding 8-year old human female Sari’s role in the plot.

   Hmm, a June release for the toys, with it fully under way in August? Six months AFTER the cartoon goes to air. Wow. Not very coordinated marketing, is it? Oh well, not like I’ve been able to afford a TransFormer that wasn’t on sale or otherwise marked down in some time.

   Now, I just wonder when Canada will get the cartoon. I hate how press releases for such things always neglect to mention such a thing. It’s like, we’re STANDING RIGHT HERE, people, do you mind?

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Toys R Us has released a list of recommended stocking stuffers, and– wait, is that Super Mario Galaxy? What the hell, when I was growing up, that’d be a bloody GIFT, not just a stocking stuffer. I don’t think things have changed all that much since, either.

Video Power

1. So, part 2 of the Discovery Channel’s Rise of the Video Game documentary is running this week, and a funny thing. Turns out I didn’t miss it at all; rather, it missed us entirely. Yep, Discovery Channel in the US and Canada are two different beasts, and the one with moose antlers figures we don’t need to know about them thar vid’ya games.
2. Ah boy. Smash Bros. DOJO!! brings us a new update: the return of Events. These could get pretty frustrating and brutal in Melee, as I recall. I never did get Final Destination…

   Dear Sakurai: Trading is big these days. Wouldn’t it be great if players could trade unlockables online?

3. …what the hell?

   Looks like Nintendo has sort of revamped and unified their site, all around the world.

4. New licensed games based on the likes of I Love Lucy, The Three Stooges, and The Honeymooners?
5. No More Heroes has just three words for you to step up your game: Blueberry Cheese Brownie.

   Other videos include ranker battle gameplay, a bit of action, and the preview event.

6. We’ve seen Team Mario’s trailer, now, what’s Team Sonic got?

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Could the original Generation 1 Ironhide and Ratchet be getting new heads? That seems to be what Dengeki Hobby magazine in Japan is reporting.

   Me, I’d love that. Those two were always favorites when I was a kid, Ironhide moreso. And the toys have always fascinated me. Never had them, but they’re just so… unique.

   Still, what I’m REALLY hoping for is an appearance in Classics.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. JungleFury.net has added teasers for the next Power Rangers iteration, which may also be the last live-action one as well.
2. Newsarama has details about the upcoming direct-to-DVD Justice League: The New Frontier movie.

   I’m skeptical. It just sounds too much like the Justice League series pilot to me, and doesn’t seem to differ too greatly from Timm’s work visually, either.

3. The negotiations on the strike are said to be “going well,” could the writers soon return to work?
4. Looks like Punisher: War Zone is due next September.

Video Power

1. Looks like the Nintendo DS has broken the GBA’s sales record.
2. Some of the details of multiplayer in the upcoming Ghostbusters game have finally been revealed.

   And some good news, everyone! The Wii title won’t be a port of the PS2 version, oh no. Turns out, it’s the other way around. Works for me!

3. Bit by bit, Sony’s Home is coming together. Here’s what’s been added to the latest version.
4. Two weeks and 650,000 Wiis later…
5. Is this Jack Thompson’s last stand?

   It’s sad. His cause underneath might be worthy, but his methods have proven far too deplorable to support. Which is too bad, because he did seem halfway decent at that Moral Combat debate.

6. Hey, a Xbox 360 backwards compatibility update! I didn’t know they still made these!
7. Yeah, I admit it. I wrote this about Greenpeace rating Nintendo a zero before I heard what sort of chumps they are.

   Plus, N-Sider and ArsTechnica reveal that it’s less to do with Nintendo’s performance and more to do with a lack of online records of what they’re doing.

8. Since the price drop, Sony’s sales have tripled in the US.
9. Smash Bros. DOJO!! brings us the scoop on Wario’s Final Smash. And it’s not even what you think it is.

   Plus, according to Go Nintendo, IGN has a few exclusive screens to show off.

10. Even though sales seem to be brisk for the Xbox 360 and PS3 these days, Activision’s CEO still thinks they need to hit $199 for mass-market adoption to occur.
11. Just a few moments of watching the new trailer for Space Invaders Extreme makes one thing VERY clear: this is NOT your father’s Space Invaders.
12. Kotaku got to go “Hands-Off, Eyes-On” with Bionic Commando, and here’s what they thought.

    Plus, some translation tales, which is botched by the simple fact that Super Joe was a seperate character, the Zero to Rad Spencer’s X, if you will.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Sounds like the theme to next year’s BotCon event will be interesting. Called “Shattered,” the new website promises everything you know will be just that in a Quicktime movie, as darkened images of Cybertron Crosswise, Classics Optimus Prime and Cybertron Hot Shot decorate elsewhere.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. IBM wants to ruin DVD rentals for everyone. Seriously, who could possibly think this is a good idea? Unless maybe the DVDs came really cheap or for free, but that’s a “proof is in the pudding” scenario, at best.

   Even then, better keep that off of the retail stuff. I swear, I HATE not being able to skip stuff on a DVD I own. Stupid, crazy, ridiculous stuff.

2. Aww, no Jagwar figure in the TMNT: Global Mutant Missions line? That’s just wrong.
3. Want a Christmas card from the good folks at Mirage? It can be yours, if you can guess what species the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mutated from.
4. The future is revealed, and the future is now, as GameSpite brings us this week’s newest releases in the realms of DVD, anime, and video games.
5. Speaking of DVD, coming to it next month is The Simpsons Movie.
6. Want to create the next Terminator poster? Seems that there’s just such a contest for The Sarah Conner Chronicles.
7. Sounds like there could be one “bitch”in’ spin-off to the X-Men movies in the making.

Video Power

1. Whoa, early Japan Time tonight at Smash Bros. DOJO!! But first, last night’s update was a cool one, going into greater detail about the game’s Control options. You can turn off jumps made with “Up” on the control stick! Among other neat features, I think that one is the most welcome to me.

   Tonight, we find out that the game supports Widescreen, and get a little music jamming with this Donkey Kong ditty (that’s “ditty,” not “Diddy”). It’s a neat theme, though slower paced. I hope there’s a stage that matches it, i.e. classic arcade Donkey Kong setting.

2. Looks like the PSP Slim was just the kind of thing people wanted, as one million have been moved in Japan.
3. Virtual Consoles new releases this week include: DOUBLE DRIBBLE (why all the caps?) for the NES, Vegas Stakes for the Super NES, and Ecco Jr. for the Genesis.

   What’s worth buyin’, and what’ll leave you cryin’? Retro Roundup has the answers.

4. And to counter, Xbox Live Arcade is getting… Asteroids. And Asteroids Deluxe. At least it’s spruced up a bit, right?

   Actually, truth be told, I’d probably rather try Asteroids than any of the three on VC right now. Except maybe Vegas Stakes. I dunno, I was more of a Casino Kid person growing up. A casino-based RPG? Win.

5. Ken Kutaragi is set to get a Lifetime Achievement Honor for being the “Father of the PlayStation” at the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. Congrats, Ken, just don’t let it go to your head.
6. Hmm, seems that Nintendo of Europe’s site is closed for the moment. Doesn’t seem to affect offshoots like Mario’s Megasite, however, which has changed quite a bit since I last visited.

   Can’t say it’s really for the better, though.

   For those interested, here’s the e-mail version of the story.

7. The invasion is upon us, as we get ready to face more Rabbids than we can can shoot a plunger at.
8. If you’re looking to secure a Wii, try Best Buy this Sunday. Just be wary if they tell you that there’s only one left…
9. Nyko has a slick Wii Remote gun shell in the works.
10. Further confirmation on the DVD release for The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters.
11. From seemingly out of nowhere, Nintendo launched the “Everybody’s Nintendo” channel for the Wii in Japan, and Game|Life’s Chris Kohler gives us a video tour of the currently Japan-only channel that gives you plenty of looks at Nintendo products, including DS downloads.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

Alright, time to see what’s transpired over the past couple of days of Thanksgiving break…

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. If you’ve a question for legendary TransFormers scribe Simon Furman, now’s your time to ask.
2. So… Animated Megatron will turn into… an Osprey-styled helicopter?
3. Oh, wow. Time for a history lesson.

   Back around the end of the 20th century, about 1998-2000, if memory serves, Hasbro released a show and toyline called Beast Machines as a follow-up to their successful, Emmy-award winning franchise-reviving Beast Wars. And to follow that, they were going to make a series called TransTech, using plenty of designs from a studio known as Draxhall Jump…

   …until Beast Machines more or less bombed. At the very least, it just didn’t do well enough to warrant continuing along the train of thought. As a result, Hasbro stalled for time by importing the popular Japanese cartoon TransFormers: Car Robots here as Robots in Disguise. This bought Hasbro enough time to team with Takara to make a cross-ocean franchise in Armada/Micron Legend and so on.

   Anyway, didn’t take long for a portion of the fans to get sick of beta animation, misscripted lines, and toys that couldn’t lift their arms or bend their legs, and so they started to wondering aloud about the MIA TransTech.

   Until now, as the Official TransFormers Collector’s Club has revealed that TransTech will be their focus for 2008. The interesting question that remains is, what are they going to do for toys? The TransTech designs never made it into production, with possibly less than a scant few even reaching the prototype stage. Since Master Collector doesn’t typically use new molds to make their figures, but rather retools…

   Maybe redecorated Movie toys? I have said that they do sort of look the part, except with realistic vehicle modes.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. They may not be Spartan-class of Chozo-worthy, but the military’s exo-suits are getting there.

   If they want more funding, they ought to make a good game to promote this thing.

2. Ouch! I think I’d have given him the ten bucks anyway.
3. Maybe you’ve seen that video of two cats speaking. But did you ever wonder just what they’re saying?
4. Epic fail on the Wheel of Fortune.
5. WebbAlert brings viral videos to ring in Turkey Day, including two “Will It Blend” episodes.
6. Thanks to Kanuck, we’ve got word that Kamen Rider Dragon Knight is coming to the US.

   …wait, Dragon Knight? Dammit. I really should’ve found another name for my fighting team…

7. The Stages. Happens to a lot of guys.
8. Captain Kirk is pissed after being snubbed by the makers of the new Star Trek film. They’d better watch it, lest his Shaman strike them down. Nevermind the Night Elf Mohawk reinforcements.
9. Beware of spoilers as the site for The Dark Knight takes it up a notch and The Joker mocks the media.

Video Power

1. Heatman has decked the halls with thanks (wait…) by offering up some Battle Network/EXE and ZX tunes from the Japanese soundtracks on The Mega Man Network.
2. And Smash Bros. DOJO!! makes us thankful for Lucas’ Special Moves, and the art of Charged Special Moves.
3. Press The Buttons has updated with their annual Holiday Gift Guide. Mine didn’t seem to go over so hot last year, so I don’t know if I’ll mess with it this year.
4. Gamasutra has a new feature up that looks at the secret ingredient of the feel of a game.

   Speaking of leaning into the turns and such, I remember when a friend and I had rented Star Fox on the Super NES, and the first time we’d gotten to Andross, he was playing, and was literally down to his knees trying to keep from being sucked in.

   Now THAT is how you do it.

5. I’m not much a car person. I just know what I like, and someday, I wouldn’t mind a small collection. Like, count the number on one hand.

   Actually, part of the dream is to have a custom hybrid Hummer that can drive me into the city from the country, in good weather or bad, and have the back open up to deploy a Smart car. Ah, to be rich…

   Anyway, Jeep has a new piece that I’d like to add to the list which strikes some folks as… inspired.

6. GameTrailers pits Super Mario Galaxy head to head with its predecessor, Super Mario Sunshine, in both standard and HD.
7. They’re STILL making trailers for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games? Maybe it’s to keep momentum going for the DS version.

   Anyway, here’s Team Mario. Say, you’d sorta think Bowser would be on Team Sonic, wouldn’t you?

8. ScrewAttack looks back at one of the few basketball games I’ve ever set my hands on in NBA Jam. It was kind of fun, but really, the main reason I ever picked it up was because it was the second game in the first Blockbuster World Video Game Championships.
9. A game I’ve regretfully been ignoring until I read the feature in the new Nintendo Power: No More Heroes. Check it out, it’s actually kind of interesting.
10. The team at MoCap tackles one of the most profitable businesses around.

    Um, this one might not be so good for the kiddies. It’s not exactly uncut, but… just keep the kids away.

11. Next Generation has been running a series of features called “The New Generation.” Part 1 looks at the games leading the way, while Part 2 takes a look at five figures who’ve helped shape what’s to come.

    And the newly-added Part 3 looks at five elements that are helping to facilitate the shift forward.

12. Games Radar has reminded me that I should really go back and visit my Animal Crossing towns.

    Actually, that comic the other day did that, but in a much sadder way.

    Anyway, they went back and found TONS of weeds, which will no doubt await me. Here’s a montage to the Benny Hill theme of them cleaning up.

13. The many gross, crazy, and funny ways to die in Halo 3.
14. Games Radar asks, “why the hell are PS3 games always late?”
15. Nintendogs, meet Wii’s Kitty Luv.

    I have no idea what it’s about, but it’s inspired me nonetheless; I’ve an idea for a game. Animals doing animal things. You take snapshots at weird moments, and add word macros, then send them to friends and post them on a Wii channel.

    Budget title, if not Wii Ware. Watch it sell.

16. GameVideos has a neat documentary about the Super FX chip, the 3D graphics chip for the Super NES which made games such as Star Fox and Stunt Race FX possible on the 16-bit system.
17. Nintendo of Japan spruces up their Super Mario Galaxy website with some wallpapers for your desktop. I like the one with Mario and all the bosses.

    Speaking of which, Kotaku hit upon the idea that it’s that very picture which should have been the box art, and even went so far as to make a mock-up of it. Good show.

18. Go Nintendo has found a collection of DS icons, the little ones that appear when you start up your game. RMC thinks they’re useless, but I could see these working well as instant messenger icons, perhaps… How many can you name?
19. By hook or by crook, Contra IV has been engineered with a way for you to get 99 lives in death.
20. Nintendo has revealed that they’re working on a fix for the Fire Emblem problem between the Wii and GameCube games’ save files.
21. Dengeki has some neat Ryuusei no Rockman (MegaMan Star Force) 2 art and cards and stuff, whatever it is…
22. Super Mario… Sisters? This in no way could have been good.
23. Check that, unless maybe it was something like this.
24. “GTA for girls?” The idea sounds like it COULD have some merit, but not like this.

And hopefully, that’ll do for now. See you in a couple more days!

–LBD “Nytetrayn”