Toys R Us (in the US, screw Canada, natch) is having a special on DS games: buy two, get the third free.

And not the crappy stuff, either (well, not JUST the crappy stuff). No, there’s New Super Mario Bros., Super Mario 64 DS, Super Princess Peach, Tetris DS, Nintendogs, Sonic Rush, Animal Crossing, Trauma Center, Mario Kart, Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, and those are just on the first two pages.

Other good stuff includes Yoshi’s Island DS, Phoenix Wright 2, Hotel Dusk, Lost In Blue 2, Spectrobes, Chocobo Tales, the DS internet browser, Custom Robo, Lunar Knights, Final Fantasy III, Kirby Squeak Squad, Club House Games, Elite Beat Agents, Pokemon Ranger, Star Fox Command, Metroid Prime Hunters, Cooking Mama, Pokemon Blue Mystery Dungeon, and some Brain games, too.

Yeah, not all are gems, at least not to everyone, but the value of the deal sort of makes some (Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, for example) seem more appealing if you were going to pick some up anyway. Whatever the case, it seems that if you’ve been holding off, then your ship has come in (unless you’re broke).

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

Good news, if you’ve been waiting for the TransFormers DS games… looks like Circuit City will have both versions for $20 starting either today or tomorrow.

Oh well, no Circuit City (and no spare money) = no temptations, and no Autobots for me. But if you grab it, let me know how it is, eh? I’ve heard mostly good, with comparisons to Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, and the control scheme makes it sound almost like the Gustaff portions of Misadventures of Tron Bonne, neither one a bad pedigree.

Oh, and if you get a copy of either version and have a Target nearby, you’re supposed to be able to get an exclusive download there:

“There is also a jet mode, but at this moment the only known way to get it is to go to Target with your DS and download the TF game demo movie from their download center. When you do that, you apparently get the jet mode as well as a G1-based character (Starscream for Decepticons, Skyfire for Autobots). Being Canadian I can’t test that, unfortunately.”

So, looks like I’m not the only one. That pisses me off, as Jet/Skyfire is a favorite of mine.? I really, really hate Target exclusives.? That they continue to grow in number and coolness makes it even worse.

The DS game has some neat online competition, prizes, daily challenges, and stuff going on, too.

On the console versions:

-Best Buy is selling them with little kinda crappy looking (and probably non-cannon, possibly unofficial) toys, starting Wednesday.
-Target is selling them with a decoder card that will let you unlock G1 versions of every character in-game, starting Thursday.
-Circuit City’s ad isn’t up yet, and it’s also possible that Wal-Mart and Toys R Us could do something, as well.

So, yeah, there you go, happy hunting!

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. TransForm your world!

   Masterpiece Starscream of the US variety is looking spiff; TransFormers: The Movie has begun to mingle with Second Life; the wicked War Within Titanium Two-Pack is available now; Yahoo! looks at Orson Welles’ role as the Chaos Bringer some 20 years ago; Masterpiece Megatron just got better (if you shell out the extra moneys); and finally, more reviews of the movie from AICN. And they probably have spoilers.

   Oh, and GameTrailers wraps up their features on The Game with a peek at Jazz vs. Starscream.

   You really have to appreciate the size difference here. I mean, yeah, they had it in Generation 1 as well, but not to this degree.

   There’s also some interviews with some of the actors from the film, and Go Nintendo’s RMC gives his impressions of the DS Autobots game.

2. Well, damn.

   Looks like if you buy Rockman ZX Advent in Japan from e-Capcom, you get a ZX Advent notebook, sporting some nice art on it.

3. 8.8 is dead.

   Yep, GameSpot’s revamping its system of reviews, in an attempt to make them easier to understand. Will it work?

   Probably not. But I won’t pass judgement until I see it for myself.

4. In case you’re unaware, the “D” in my moniker stands for “Draco,” as in “Dragon.”

   And no small secret I am a Wii man. Wait, that didn’t come out right…

   Regardless, it then makes sense that the announcement of Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire for the Wii (and moreso, the description) fills me with a sense of anticipation.

   Of course, when I first read the title and about “controlling a dragon on the Wii,” my first thought was something closer to Dragonzord style. Silly me.

   Games Radar has a more in-depth look.

5. Coming next week: IGN will have an interview with Bioware about the Sonic DS RPG.

   Sweet.

   In the meantime, here’s N’Gai Croal’s reasoning as to why the game may not suck.

6. Hmm, 380 did seem like a bit of a high number for PS3 games to be released by next March, didn’t it?
7. Chun Li, beaten like a dog…

   …in HD!

   Sure, it’s just black and white, but it’s still neat, and gives a little idea of the art in motion.

   What’s more is, it seems that Capcom’s actually listening to peoples’ feedback on this one, as they may revise Guile after some responses from last week’s reveal.

   Let’s just hope Inafune doesn’t somehow get word of this.

   There are some other neat technical questions being tackled as well, such as what to expect from Sagat.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

Thanks to Scarab for letting me in on one of Leno’s jokes tonight:

“Amazon’s best seller: Super Paper Mario, featuring two Italian brothers going through several mazes. Amazon’s worst seller: Super Immigration Papers Mario, featuring the same thing.”

1. I’ve been saying that they need to do this for some time now. The Sonic franchise is hardly able to add a new installment without not only adding a new member to the cast, but much of the time, that new member is usually playable, too. And as a result, someone else gets shafted.

   So, what better game (besides maybe a sports or party game) to round the whole bloody lot up than in an RPG? Sure, it sounds odd at first given Sonic’s penchant for high speeds and the slower gameplay of RPGs, but when you consider that a) most of Sonic’s games haven’t really used the speed favorably lately, and b) most of the other characters aren’t that fast, well, it sort of works. Maybe Sonic’s speed could be applied in that he gets to attack more in a round than other characters?

   I hear BioWare does some pretty good stuff, too. And the fact they’re in Canada gives me some small hope that maybe it’ll relate to the Archie comic in some way.

   Anyway, it’s hardly anything new now, for a platforming character to venture into RPGs: see Mario and Mega Man X for two pretty good examples. Hell, can you imagine if it mixes sidescrolling/platforming and RPG elements in a way similar to Super Paper Mario?

   It’s funny, though, because while I thought this was a natural decision, I always thought it’d be Sonic Team applying their experience with Phantasy Star to the franchise.

   Black_Draco: A Sonic RPG…
   Black_Draco: …I hope it has the wit and charm that the Mario ones possess…
   Black_Draco: …but I expect it’ll be closer to angst and furry.
   Black_Draco: Memes if we’re lucky.
   Scarab: Just one “And that’s NO GOOD.” That’s all I ask.

   Seriously, though, fingers are crossed here.

2. TransFormers!

   Mmmm, cake. Begs the question, though: if kids at a party start throwing this at each other, does that make it a “food fight” or a “flame war?”

   So not only is Longarm pretty cool looking, but so is Dropkick. I’m a little disappointed, on the one hand, that my favorite designs are characters not in the movie. But conversely, this should make them easier to find. At least, in theory.

   Allspark also has a report from TransFormers: The Game‘s premiere event.

3. Good news for Euro-Mega Man fans: Mega Man ZX is out there now!
4. Even better, the Euro-release date for Super Paper Mario has been announced, as well as Freshly Picked – Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland.

   I’m glad the latter is getting a release; if Nintendo doesn’t bring it our way, then at least there’s a version I can import now.

5. Today in the Dojo, Fox shows off his special moves. Nothing new, really, except a better look at some details, and some delightfully spoofworthy text to take out of context:

   Did you notice that thing dangling from Fox?s waist? What is that? Yup, that?s his Reflector. It perfectly reflects projectile weapons fired at him. It?s a fine piece of weaponry, and one that most fighters envy. Enemies won?t flinch at the impact of its shots, but it does have rapid-fire capabilities. It?s the perfect weapon for stealing KOs.

   In addition, we get a nice look at Fox’s stage, “Lylat Cruise” as well.

   “How are they breathing? And why is there gravity? I suggest that you not worry about it too much.”

   Good idea.

6. Looks like Manhunt 2, as expected, is going back to the drawing board.

   And as much as I hate to say it… fine art? Is this some sort of sick joke?

7. One should always try to improve, and it’s good to see that Sony doesn’t consider themselves an exception, as they look to increase the sound capability of the PS3 another 30-40% through firmware upgrades.

   In fact, the engineers even think that a fanless version is possible.

   Me? I didn’t know the PS3 had any fans in the first place. *rimshot*

8. Not only are they looking to improve the system, but the library, too. 380 games in less than a year from now? Ambitious.
9. Oblong Oreos?

   It’s true. This summer, Oreos are getting in shape to make them better suited for dunking, as a part of a limited-time promotion.

   I love Oreos, and dunking them is no exception, but I hate having to actively keep my fingers from going in as well. This seems like a neat idea, though I’d hate to see the original hockey puck-like shape go away completely.

10. I was already looking forward to the Iron Man movie, and today gave yet another reason:

    Samuel L. Jackson as S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury!

    Talk about coming full-circle. Sort of.

11. Video Games Live on DVD and CD? I’m there.

    I’d rather, you know, be there, but this’ll have to do.

12. Japan’s getting a neat little treat: Elite Beat Agents in their Ouendan 2.
13. The downside of downloads.

    And The Heartbreak Kid isn’t about Shawn Michaels? I feel cheated.

14. I think my wife will like this.

    Fire fighting fun for Wii.

    I never got to try Burning Rangers, sadly, but I did like Brave Firefighters when I got to try it at Playdium.

    Either way, the wife will just be happy to stare at their asses.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

Well, this blows.

Ryouko and I were all set to do this “20 Years of Mega Man” panel for Otakon, and it turns out that someone else submit the same idea with the same name just before she did.

So, yeah. I’m not exactly happy at the moment. This also kills me on the admission fee as well…

1. At least one good thing has come out of today:

   Konami celebrates 20 years of Contra with Contra 4 on the Nintendo DS.

   I’m a lot happier about this than I seem, really. The grappling hook mechanic seems intriguing.

   But who the hell wrote this press release? “After saving earth from invasion by Red Falcon, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean are confronted with a new extraterrestrial menace: the terrifying Black Viper. Joined by hard-boiled mercenaries Mad Dog and Scorpion, the warriors must once again wage war against an entire army of invaders.”

   …wait, what? Mad Dog and Scorpion are joining themselves? Does this mean that time travel will be involved? Is Nytetrayn gonna have to nuke a flux capacitor here? ‘Cause I will. I know it. You know it. Dogs know it.

   Interesting is the use of “4″ in the title, though I don’t expect that to see its way into production, though as a midquel of sorts, I wouldn’t rule it out, either. Contra III: The Alien Wars was the last numbered Contra title, but it’s seen several sequels since, but this takes place before most, if not all of them.

   Anyway, so far this reeks of awesome. It’s being developed by WayForward Technologies, who made Ping Pals and Sigma Star Saga, which I hear are pretty good. Let’s hope this goes better– MUCH better– than the last time Konami farmed out the property. Those were on PS1, and have since been retconned out of continuity. Thank God.

2. TransFormers. Woo.

   Michael Bay has a press conference, new TransFormers: The Game videos; Frank Welker talks about playing Movie Megatron in The Game.

   Games Radar gets in on the fun as well, looking at a history of the robots in disguise, complete with utterly nonsensical page titles.

3. Now appearing in the Smash Bros. Dojo is-a Wario, and he says he’s a-gonna win!!
4. Huh, so not only is the UK (and Ireland) not allowing Manhunt 2 on their Wii, but neither is Nintendo (and ditto with Sony and their gear).

   Hell, GameFly and Blockbuster don’t want a part of it, either.

   This is reaching the point they could probably sell it online through their own website, and make a damn fortune, and cut out the middleman…

   …except that it’s not allowed on the systems it was made for. Ironic, in a way.

5. GameTrailers has completely renovated their site. Using it is a little tricky, at least to start.
6. Sonic Rivals 2 is coming to the PSP. And here I haven’t even gotten to play the first one yet.
7. Rumor: MegaMan Star Force: Dragon, exclusive to GameStop?

   It’d better not be. My interest in the game is shakey enough as it is, without having to deal with the one version I want not even being available at a store in Canada.

8. Another Code and Hotel Dusk: good for the future?
9. Wow, Nintendo is worth almost as much as Sony?

   It’s surpassed Matsushita/Panasonic, too. That’s either really, really awesome, or really, really sad, depending on which side of the fence you sit. Don’t forget, Sony has their hands in a lot more than just games…

10. Famitsu gives Zelda: Phantom Hourglass 39 out of 40, a near-perfect score.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. September previews ahoy! See what fate has in store for Sonic the Hedgehog a few months from now in his eponymous line of comics, if you dare!

   Of course, this means that you could be spoiling yourself to things that will happen in the next few months before you get to see them…

2. TransFor–WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!?

   Well, that takes care of my coffee needs.

   So, yeah. TransFormers: Animated looks… interesting. When I first saw that, actually, I thought it was news of some sort of parody/tribute on Megas LXR or something. But every time I look at that head, I expect to see it start spinning around.

   A little less disturbing is Longarm from the Movie line.

   I really like this one, quite a bit. He seems to carry the movie aesthetic, but still look like an actual TransFormer as we’ve come to know them, too.

   Ok, I’m excited about the film, too, but is there really anything new left to say?

   Over BotCon way, looks like there’s going to be an awards party, with Stan Bush jammin’ it with a concert. On top of that, congrats to Allspark’s own Mouth04 for becoming an official guest. Way to go!

   And finally, BWTF.com start reviewing TransFormers: Robot Heroes toys, starting with the too-cute pairing of Optimus Prime and Ravage.

3. Looks like Corgi International Limited has scored, among other rights, the license to produce collectible products based on Nintendo properties through 2010. These would include multiple categories based on Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and The Legend of Zelda.

   Reportedly, products will include action figures, playsets, FX electronic products, “iconic game replicas,” multi-sized plush, vinyl figures, and more.

   Holy crap, this is going to be awesome. I hope a) they’ll be available in Canada, and b) I can afford them.

4. Nintendo’s inaugural Short Cuts film festival now has a winner, in the form of Jack Paccione, Jr’s “Good vs. Wii-vil,” an amusing short about an ice-cream clerk whose every move is in the hands of two opposing Wiimote operators.

   Special congrats to the second-place winner, “Koopa Force” by Marc Duddleson, who comes from my own hometown of Wingate. Way to go!

   It was a pretty good contest, all in all. It seemed to start slow, but the finalists were fun.

5. Manhunt 2.

   Adult Only.

   Oops?

   Well, still better than what the UK did with it.

   Games Radar offers a clearer look at why such actions have been taken.

6. Congratulations to Ken Kutaragi on his retirement.

   His pension will come in the form of $599 US dollars.

   (Sorry, had to go there, just one last time.)

7. Resident Evil 4 for the Wii has shipped, and seems to be gathering some nice scores from the gaming press.
8. Conan to host The Tonight Show? John Stewart on Late Night?

   Just simple possibilities the future holds.

9. For those who couldn’t be bothered to play the game, ADV announces that they are bringing the Xenosaga anime to the US.

   I might check it out, if I can.

10. Sorry, but Jenga for the Wii just doesn’t appeal to me. Hard to beat the real thing, you know?

    Unless it sports online play, maybe.

11. I thought this was old news, but it disappoints me that one of the rare titles I actually wanted for the PSP has been dropped. Or postponed, whatever.
12. Sorry, Europe. No party for you, not for another month anyway.

    But don’t worry, you have my empathy.

13. Just a reminder, get your free Wii Opera internet browser now, before it’s too late!

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. Happy 29th Birthday, Garfield!!!
2. Attention! Attention! All artist types! Incoming message from Dr. Light!

   Winterman Defeated! YOU GET: Hot bathing-suit action, if you hit Maq’s Hunter Hideout and partake in her seventh annual Mega Man Bathing Suit Contest, “a summer contest for artists of all makes and ages.”

   It has already begun, and runs through the 31st of August, so there is still time to enter! Get equipped with the rules alongside some pen and paper, and you could win a specially-commissioned piece of art from Maq herself! For a sampling of her fare and what you could get, jack-in to this link (yes, I’m mixing series, shut up) and behold the wonders within!

   Oh yeah, and no nudity. Sorry, folks! Them’s the breaks.

3. The Smash Bros. Dojo once more enlightens us in the ways of all things Smash, this time educating us about the mysterious Final Smash, specifically that of Link…

   “It is said that the one who touches the Triforce shall have their heart’s deepest desire granted.” Well, if that’s true, then it looks like Link has only one real desire here: to kick some ass!

   And just posted earlier, Pikachu is ready to get some as well, with his new Volt Tackle technique.

4. Super Robot Lifeform!

   A peek at game-exclusive “Movie” character Dropkick is available; Stan Bush is attending BotCon; Four new articles about the movie are on Entertainment News International; more videos about the film from IESB.net; an Allspark-exclusive interview with Flint Dille, who wrote the original movie and the upcoming game; Frank Welker talks about voicing Megatron; the opening cinematic for The Game is available; more images of the Burger King toys; coupons for concessions at Best Buy; MORE interviews and behind-the-scenes; and new game footage featuring Ironhide and Blackout.

   Wow, what a weekend. All that, and Kotaku has discovered the 360 version’s Achievement Points, too.

5. This is sort of interesting:

   JLA Trophy Room: Multi-Colored Kryptonite Replica Display

   Now, having replicas of Kryptonite in different colors, that sounds pretty cool. I dig the lights and cases and the crystal-candy look.

   But what gets me is the name. “JLA Trophy Room.” Seems kind of dangerous to keep all this junk around Superman, you know?

6. Toy fans and Indiana Jones fans, rejoice! Your passions have come together, thanks to Lego and Hasbro!
7. New commercials, new wallpaper, and new tidbits surrounding Rockman ZX Advent await over at Atomic Fire.
8. Slow week for the Virtual Console…

   NES Open Tournament Golf, and World Sports Competition and Bloody Wolf for the TurboGrafx-16. Whoopee.

   Once upon a time, I really, really wanted to play NES Open Tournament Golf. Partly because of the presence of Mario. Now, in this day and age of Wii Sports and Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour? Not so much, and certainly not for five bucks. But it is sort of noteworthy for the earliest pairing of Daisy and Luigi, as well as a rare NES appearance by her.

   I still remember the Nintendo Power Player’s Poll contest for this game; I wanted that golf cart grand prize SO bad…

   Anyway, are any really worth it? Turns out, yes, in a most ironic way.

9. Blockbuster backs Blu-Ray.

   Guess that carrying both would’ve been a little unfeasible, maybe.

10. Batpod?! What the hell’s a Batpod?!

    Oh. This is a Batpod.

    …why the hell’s it called the “Batpod,” tho?

11. Coming this week: Resident Evil 4 for Wii.

    I’d like to get my hands on that. But first, bills, bills, bills…

    In the meantime, GameDaily has a compelling list of five reasons to play it again.

    I still need to play it a first time.

12. Hmm, so Microsoft paid $50 million dollars to get exclusive Grand Theft Auto IV content.

    What do you think they’d pay if they just wanted Metal Gear Solid 4 over there?

13. New Halo action figures!

    Wait, McFarlane? Hmm, might look at removing the “action” part…

14. Microsoft sez, “we don’t have a high defect rate on the 360.”

    Guess it’s just the people who talk about it online.

15. Dead? Or Alive?

    Dead. Definitely dead, on arrival.

16. Looks like I’ll need to keep my camera handy when I go out, just in case I see one of Nintendo’s Wii Smart Cars.

    Be great if they gave out t-shirts or something.

17. Video games help in diagnosing depression?

    Sounds like just what I need come the wintertime…

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. TransFormers, TransFormers, GO!

   The Allspark has its very own report on the upcoming TransFormers: The Game, along with photos of the event at which it was shown.

   In addition to the video game, there are a number of TF-themed variations on more traditional titles popping up as well, including Stratego and Risk.

   Plus, there’s an article from the Associated Press that pulls back the curtain on the world of TransFormers fans, seeing what makes them tick.

   Over at GameSpot, they’re offering up some wallpapers and icons for your perusal.

2. The Heroes Convention is going on in Charlotte, NC this weekend, and m’homies from Archie’s Sonic the Hedgehog will be in attendance.

   Sadly, I won’t be. Again. I could just cry.

3. We don’t even have MegaMan Star Force yet, and already Capcom is 30% done with the sequel.

   Almost makes you want to scream, doesn’t it?

4. …huh. Of all people to report a newsblurb from Nintendo’s website, I never really expected Princess Peach to do the deed.

   Still gotta get her game, too.

   Frankly, I wish her message was “I’m going to kick some boys’ asses in Brawl, just you wait and see!”

   Oh well.

5. It’s no time to start to get riled!

   Capcom’s updated with pictures of Guile!

   Yeah, yeah, Roadblock, I ain’t.

6. As much as I hate to say it, I think a decision on gaming addiction as a mental disorder may not be such a bad one. I’m looking specifically (as they highlight) at MMORPG-type fare which people practically throw their lives away over.
7. Looks like Scott Steinberg of SEGA might have been misunderstood yesterday in his thoughts on the Wii, and has clarified his statements a little bit today.

   I stand by my thoughts of yesterday, though, even though they may no longer be leveled at Mr. Steinberg, as it’s still griping I’ve seen enough of.

8. Hey, it’s Mega Man II for mobile phones!

   Love Mega Man II, but I can’t imagine playing it on a phone. Then again, my phone isn’t exactly cut out for that, either, so…

9. CostCo is bringing the Wii down, complete with an extra Wii remote and Zelda: Twilight Princess, all for $330.

   If you’re still looking, this is probably as good a deal as any you’re likely to find.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. We may not have loved Mr. McMahon, but dammit, a lot of us respected him.

   Hence, the surprise vigil/memorial.

2. Samus is in the house– er, Dojo, and looking good.

   Sadly, nothing else really new to say– not even anything about the slightly-misnamed “Zero Suit.”

3. TransFormers!

   While not directly TransFormers related, it’s worth noting that this Sunday will have a four-hour marathon of Robot Chicken on Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, starting at 11pm, and at the top of every hour will be the new Robot Chicken: Star Wars episode.

   In addition, however, will be two 60-second trailers for the game which will be shown as well, one behind-the-scenes, another a CGI trailer.

   Sounds good, wish I could watch.

   Fortunately, there’s a new clip that’s aired on The Tonight Show that you can see here.

   BotCon looms ever close, and to taunt us even more, the convention has released a new image of the boxart for the convention-exclusive “Games of Deception” box set of toys, featuring art by none other than the legendary Don Figueroa.

4. On a semi-TransFormers-related note, condolences go out to the friends and family of Shaun Christopher, a fellow TransFan who passed away earlier this week.
5. I don’t often report rumors (seems like I say that a lot; take that to mean there are a LOT more I don’t report), but if this one is true, I’ll really be disappointed.

   RUMOR from IGN is that Project H.A.M.M.E.R. for the Wii is cancelled, possibly with the team who was working on it making more “expanded audience” titles.

   This has caused a little bit of an uproar.

   Me, I was really looking forward to a new, more serious franchise out of Nintendo, and it just seemed neat besides. Matt at Press The Buttons sure liked it when he got to play. If this turns out to be true, I hope that the game was just coming along really, really badly and that’s why, rather than the proposed theory that Nintendo just wants more expanded-audience titles.

   Stranger still, didn’t a rather recent release have this title listed as upcoming? Possibly this year?

   Here’s hoping this doesn’t affect Disaster: Day of Crisis.

   “Readers are reminded that this rumor is currently unsubstantiated by official Nintendo sources. We’ll keep you posted with any updates they become available.”

   And of course, PMO will follow in kind.

   In the meantime, if you need a refresher on what the game was, here’s a video reminder.

6. So, like Venom? Then good news.

   Like Iron Man and his Mighty Avengers? Well, maybe not so good news, then…

7. Oh, now this is cool. I guess THQ lost the Power Rangers license or something, because Power Rangers: Super Legends is now coming out from Disney Interactive, among others.

   Better still, it sounds like it’ll do something I’ve said should have been done sooner: take advantage of the long-running history of the franchise, and make something grand. That said, it looks to include heroes and such from the original Mighty Morphin days up to the current Operation Overdrive.

   And best of all, it should be relatively inexpensive. Can’t wait, I just hope they do it justice.

8. So the Hulk is returning to the big screen, and a Marvel exec says it won’t suck, though really, I don’t recall any promises offhand that the original would, either.

   Seriously, though, the guy certainly seems optimistic that they can make up for their last attempt…

9. For the upcoming live-action Castlevania movie (not to be confused with Warren Ellis’ animated work), Anderson is officially out, and Sylvain White is in, with the release set for next year.

   And to hear Joystiq tell it, these are better hands now, too.

10. IGN has an exclusive update on the GI Joe movie, and details surrounding the two scripts proposed for the film.

    Strong words from the man behind the movie, though to be fair, reports coming out that pretty much every non-Duke member of the team was being replaced with Action Man (slight generalization here) and that Cobra was on the outs did not show promise; the changes to TransFormers were and are relatively mundane by comparison to something like that.

11. Wow, is SEGA turning on the Wii now?

    I swear, I hate listening to bitching like this. Look at how this damn industry got started! Look at how the design of Mario was dictated! There are CHALLENGES that CAN be overcome! Why does it feel like every developer starts to bellyache if they don’t have 50 gajillion terraflops of power to work with so that nothing is impossible?

    God, grow something, already.

    I don’t know, maybe I’m out of line here. But to me, it shows a limited vision and a lack of will to step up to any obstacles that get in their way. And what’s more, Nintendo will probably make some killer apps themselves, and third-parties will go on about “well, we can’t compete with that” and “Nintendo’s taking up the whole market on their system.” Well, YEAH. Because they actually TRY now and again, and don’t give up the second they have a doubt in their mind.

    Maybe they’re being brainwashed by propaganda like this.

    Oh well. At least we have Jessica Alba, so I guess we’re even.

12. On a mildly-related note, Ninja Gaiden Sigma director Yosuke Hayashi says that if you think developing for the PS3 is hard, then you should just get out.
13. Here is a neat little Father’s Day Contest.

    Don’t think I can enter, though; my dad’s a country away from me. Maybe I’ll just pose my Father-in-Law as him instead…

14. Hmm, sounds like Nintendo isn’t the only one keeping online secrets from its developers.

    Guess it’s just an industry thing.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

Got off work late, going in early, so I’ll try and keep things a little concise tonight.

1. 

   This past Monday night, tragedy struck in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

   In what could be considered a mark of irony, the WWE held a special edition of Monday Night Raw which celebrated “Mr. McMahon Appreciation Night,” which was pretty much anything but.

   At the end of the evening, when the WWE Chairman silently went to the parking lot and entered his limousine, it exploded in a fiery blaze.

   Federal agents have probed the scene, and the cause of the explosion remains unknown. eyewitnesses have described what they saw that night while fans send their well-wishes, and the investigation continues.

   It is truly tragic that Mr. McMahon’s demise came in such a gruesome fashion, and while he may have been a bit of an asshole, I still appreciate everything he’s done for his business.

2. Smash Bros. Dojo updates with barrels and crates!

   …eh, yeah.

   Glad to see there’s more variety this time, at least.

   Heh, check out Wario with the sliding crate. Bet he didn’t think his greed would get him that kind of pain.

3. A preview of Tales of the TMNT #35 is up. And this is good for fans of the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures by Archie, as Dean Clarrain and Chris Allan team up once again for this story. Huzzah!
4. TransFormers!

   Big new renders of the movie models have surfaced, as have more interviews and Burger King toy images. Plus, many game previews.

   Plus, BWTF.com reviews Fast Action Battler Optimus Prime.

5. New info on the Mega Man ZX Advent front. Seems all those Biometals we had to collect in the first, save for Models Z and X, have new owners…

   Wow, a full team of Mega Men? I’m stoked.

6. So, Sony has a blog now.

   And today, CEO Jack Tretton has begun using it.

7. I’d love nothing more than to spend Father’s Day with my dad at Nintendo World, with competitions and discounts.

   Ain’t happenin’, tho.

   Hmm. Reading this makes it sound like I ought to have a kid. Which maybe I should. But no way I can afford it.

8. Hell, now I need to buy a copy of Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree, just so I can get this lousy keychain.

   Oh well, I like those games anyway. I wonder how much this costs, though.

9. So now Sony’s in trouble with the Church of England over guns in the House of God in Resistance. And now they’re calling on Japan, as they share the church’s concerns.

   …though I have no idea how, unless there was some outcry over the historical giant enemy crabs I missed.

   Kotaku adds a little more context, to make you realize that the church doesn’t want to be saved; they clearly crave their own demise.

   CAD says it best, though.

10. Glad Microsoft is finally doing SOMEthing for the old’n'busted 360s.

    Now, if an MS rep responds to your product complaints with “just chill,” you’ll know just what they’re talking about.

11. Yes, I am completely and fully aware that the McMahon thing is a storyline. It’s no fun if no one plays along, though. I’m not as stupid as The Wall Street Journal or some people here.

    From Inside Pulse:

    Wilkes-Barre Township Police Chief Robert Brozowski was quoted in the local Citizens Voice saying “The end result is everybody thought it was real, and we got inundated with calls about the homicide that doesn’t exist … It comes down to the old adage you don’t always believe what you see on TV … Vince lives on … I wish him a speedy recovery. I’m sure he’s sitting in a nice hotel room in Trump Plaza laughing like a bastard.”

    It’s just entertainment. Don’t take it so seriously.

    Me, I’m looking forward to finding out who did it. I have my suspicions, tho.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”