1. Gradius, Soldier Blade, and Dungeon Explorer hit Wii Virtual Console yesterday.
2. Huh, so EGM and 1up.com are on the chopping block from Ziff-Davis? I wonder what that means for the future…

   …does ZD even have anything besides 1up and EGM? Well, Games for Windows, sure, but…

   Oh, ok, so they’ve got a few left.

3. Whoa, I wasn’t expecting this… Press The Buttons reports that Blockbuster is ceasing video game rentals.

   I have no idea if this affects Canada or not, though.

   If it does, sheesh, guess it’s a better thing I got out when I did… though strangely enough, they carry a fair bit of Wii and PS3 wares around here…

4. …and that’s my heart stopping.

   Jack Thompson’s request sounds reasonable, though closer observation on my part may be needed before such a declaration is made in full. Still, it seems at least remotely positive…

5. Dammit, Marvel’s Civil War #7 is delayed a month.

   This makes me unhappy.

6. Arcade Fire, Neon Bible, March 6th.

   Posting this to see if my wife spots it.

7. Oh Kaz, you wild card. No one cares what you think any more.

   Go Nintendo offers their 2 cents.

8. Looks like SEGA has laid out their Virtual Console plans for the first quarter of the year.

   Um, wow guys… you’re really hammering them out, aren’t you?

9. Quick, someone call IGA!!!
10. This just in, Blu-Ray movie doesn’t work on Blu-Ray players… except for PS3.

    Nice. But it doesn’t matter, because they have an Emmy.

11. If you live in Bellevue and like Mega Man, Onimusha, Dead Rising, or Lost Planet, you might want to get your ass to GameStop and meet Mr. Inafune.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

With three days between updates, will there be too much info for just one? Let’s find out! Together!

1. The good Reverend Toast T. Frog has delivered his sermon regarding the prophecy of the upcoming DS game Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja.

   Long story short: everyone dies.

   Wait, wrong story. That’s Punisher vs. the Marvel Universe. Long story short, looks like it’ll be an interesting new game with a touch of oldschool-styled difficulty, so it’ll no doubt appeal to some, and repel others. More on this one as it becomes available.

2. BWTF.com has opened up a review section for TransFormers Titaniums.

   So far, only 3-inch Scorponok and Smokescreen, and 6-inch War Within Optimus Prime have been reviewed, but more are sure to come.

3. This is why I never go on vacation.

   Actually, that’s a lie. I have no money with which to vacation with, and therein lies the culprit.

   Seriously, however, as tragic as this is, I notice that the mother seems to be doing a bit to place the blame on Thailand in some shape or form. I question if England has these same warnings for travellers that she believes they should have.

   Over at Joystiq, they question the journalistic integrity of some reports of the accident.

4. The new GamePro Expo is rated E for EveryoneAll, and will include the game-music concert Video Games Live.

   And all it’ll cost you is $100.

5. Director Sam Raimi speculates on the possibilities of Spider-Man 4.
6. Eulogy for an XBox, by GameDaily.
7. N-Philes has bunches and bunches of new box art for you to check out.

   …they’re over on the left when you click each link, btw.

8. What’s this? A Nintendo contest to win a Link statue, JUST for Canadians?

   Aww, nuts. I just knew there had to be a catch.

   Unless I get another job soon, I think I’ll root for second-place. Maybe.

9. Go Nintendo found a neat little archive of Virtual Console games available in Europe and America, with a small collection of info such as the number of points necessary to purchase and a rating.

   Sure, it may not seem like a necessity now, but remember, that list is just going to keep on growing…

10. Finally, an update/preview for Super Paper Mario.

    Sadly, it does little but to seem to confirm that the game is now Wii-xclusive, and from there speculate where the controls will go.

11. Ah, the worst game endings ever.

    The criticism of Super Mario Bros. seems a tad harsh, though, given most games back then didn’t even give you that much.

12. If you know someone who’s new to gaming, and perhaps this whole “Wii” thing, then this might be a good gift.

    Make them feel like a big-shot or something, because they read “the book,” and they know what’s what, and what’s a skinny little punk like you gonna do about it when the game boots up?

    And that’s when you stomp their ass.

13. GN has a rumor about Animal Crossing on the Wii.

    What I’m not sure about is this whole “connect into your Forecast channel” thing.

    I just picture the scenario being, “oh, it’s raining outside, maybe I’ll just stay in and play some Animal Crossing… where it, too, is raining. Hmm.”

    That, and the Forecast Channel isn’t the most on-top-of-things program I’ve seen, I’d hate to think that a brief shower IRL could last all day in the game, just because that’s what the forecast read at 7am…

14. Seems even Microsoft’s faith in HD-DVD is faltering, even if only just a little.
15. Are they… are they using half a sheet of notebook paper to advertise their PS3s?
16. ZD’s own John Davison looks back at the Stampers’ legacy in video games.
17. And to close today, 1up looks back at the rock-suck ratio of 2006.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. The Allspark reports that Master Replicas, makers of those nifty replica Master Swords and Hylian Shields we all love (among many other things), will be merging with Corgi International Limited, both with Cards Inc. under the Corgi name.

   Which means we could see some new Zelda or TransFormers “prop replicas, maquettes, and things of that nature” available under this banner in the not-too-distant future.

2. GameStop made a crapload of money over the holidays.

   Just think, if they had either of the new systems available, they could’ve made a ton more.

   Oh well.

3. IGN reports of a special Marvel Civil War tie-in known simply as The Return.

   …but who returns? Looks like we’ll have to grab the special (available the 24th of this month) to find out.

4. “Sony’s filed for a patent on some kinda like motor-powered skateboard. It’s as if Michael J. Fox was running away from Biff and stole a kid’s Segway and ripped the handles off it. Or something. They’ll call this the PlayStation 4.”

   Seriously, as a Back To The Future fanboy, you can’t ask for a better article description than that one from Game|Life.

5. Eh, rumors. Word is that Tingle’s crazy RPG might make it to Europe. Nothing for the US yet, but at least with the DS, you can import, so I won’t cry too hard if it at least goes there.
6. Other than Grand Theft Auto, it seems that the most controversial games that cause the greatest stir from protesters are also the ones that actual gamers care about the least.

   Evident case in point: Bully.

   Joystiq suggests that this would be the only Rockstar property not to be revisited, but I think that GameFAQs (not the forums, the actual useful part) would beg to differ.

7. Aww, hell.

   “Acclaim and IGA link up for six-game ad deal?”

   Man, what a downer. And Portrait of Ruin was so good, and I thought—

   Wait, this isn’t about the Castlevania guy at all.

   Sorry, false alarm.

8. Seems that Super Columbine Massacre RPG has been pulled from its finalist spot at the Slamdance Festival.

   Even though I’ve never played the game, I’d like to know who these sponsors are, so I can boycott them.

9. A Wii darts game.

   …seriously.

   Can I really be the only one who thinks that right now, this sounds like a bad idea waiting to happen?

10. EA drops prices on a bunch of games.

    Whee.

    Watch how fast I go.

    …

    Did you see me?

    Yeah, I was that quick… to decide I don’t care about a single damn one of these titles.

11. Ooh, Bandai has released some info and images regarding the 15th incarnation of the Power Rangers ongoing saga, Operation Overdrive.

    Pity I heard they aren’t importing the Japanese Zords this year, and that theirs are (unsurprisingly) not nearly as good.

12. For those on the West Coast who went to their local comic shops yesterday, and found nothing they were expecting, Newsarama provides a bit of explanation.

    If you’re among those who won’t be getting Civil War #6 until next week, here’s a preview:

    THE STORY:
    Captain America?s depleted forces have determined the secret of File 42, setting them on a last-ditch collision course with Iron Man and the Pro-Registration heroes! It?s the beginning of the battle of the century?a conflict in which virtually every superhuman on Earth will be forced to choose a side to fight on!

    And on top of all that, there’s this eerie preview image of Amazing Spider-Man #537.

    Further peeks of that, Civil War: Frontline #10, and the new Punisher: War Journal #2 can be seen here.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

…and we’re back. Again. Sort of. Trying to be.

Good news! Updates ought to become more regular again!

Bad news! It’s because I’m once again unemployed as of the 13th!

I’ll be frank. Any clicks you can put on an ad or donations over to the left with the Bros. really wouldn’t hurt me right now.

At your own discretion, of course.

And now, da’ news!

1. …and, my heart just stopped.

   After 20 damn years, it looks like we’re finally getting a Rockman sourcebook translated into English!

   It’s about damn time, too. And by none other than Udon, publishers of the Street Fighter and other Capcom comic books, as well as the English translation of the Street Fighter Eternal Challenge sourcebook.

   Could this be a sign of things to come? Time will tell…

2. Er, so what do we call this one? Hot Gatorade?
3. Head of Human Head turns tail, leaves studio on its ear.

   …maybe not that last part. I just wanted to cram what I could into a headline before it got obscene, though.

4. If you remember the heyday of the Rare/Nintendo partnership, when they teamed to deliver such classics as Donkey Kong Country, Killer Instinct, Cruisin’ USA… um, well, you get the idea. You may remember the name Stamper, as in the Stamper brothers who founded the UK-based game developer.

   Well, as it happens, they’re leaving the company they built.

   Gotta admit, it’s a wild time in gaming to see so many familiar names moving on. Yamauchi is retired, Naka’s formed his own game studio, the Stampers leave Rare… oh, and the whole Sony juggling act. Makes you wonder what will come next.

   Over at Climactic Ave., this turn of events is seen as the start of something not-so good.

5. ‘Cause they are the Aqua Teens… and this is the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film.
6. Indiana Jones 4 is finally set to get underway, and Sean Connery’s got a part, whether he wants it or not.

   But competing against Narnia, Speed Racer, and Iron Man? That’s going to be a tough force to conquer.

7. For once, Jack Thompson sounds halfway reasonable.

   Except for one teeny little detail.

   …how is it Microsoft’s job? It’s the retailers and parents that need to be targeted. It’s like petitioning a water plant about drunk drivers because their water goes into the beer that makes people drunk. Sure, there’s a certain (small) degree of involvement, but it’s pretty damned small in the grand scheme of things.

8. Sigh, idiots.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. Hard to believe that Saddam is dead.
2. …almost as much as the fact Satan didn’t rank higher on a list of the top villains of 2006.

   “Satan, however, gave us the PS3 to amplify our natural avarice in the waiting lines and on eBay. He surely merited the #2 spot for that.”

3. Word has come to me from a few sources that Dead Rising and Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune is working on a project for the Wii.

   What could it be? We’ll have to see.

4. Best Buy to get more Wiis and PS3s this week?
5. $150 off the system of your choice? Joystiq tells you how.
6. Remember, kids: Winners never cheat, and cheaters never win.

   …unless you’re just cool at it, like a Wario or the late Eddie Guerrero.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. If you’re still wanting for Wii, Amazon will have some today.
2. If you remember the old 2-D Zelda: Ocarina of Time project some fans were working on, it’s set to be released soon.

   Can’t wait to try that one out.

3. I hate Japan, sometimes. They get all the cool stuff.

   Like these.

   A DS Balloon Fight starring Tingle? Personalized Wii battery covers?

   At least I can hunt eBay for the latter, but it’ll no doubt be priced to the heavens. Woe is I.

4. Word from Games TM, a UK publication, is that Rare is finally bringing Killer Instinct to XBox.

   Question being, will it be a sequel/prequel (such as Perfect Dark Zero or the new Banjo), or a remake (like Conker)?

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

*yawns* Boy, long day after a hard night’s sleep with some bad dreams.

Fortunately, news is probably still slim, so lucky me.

1. PS3 demo kiosk freeze: brilliant or boggling?
2. Oh, son of a bitch!

   Foxtrot was the best one!

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

And we’re back! Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas, I know I sure did enjoy mine. Very little actual “news,” but enough Points of Interest to make up for it.

It’ll probably be like this into the New Year.

1. Atomic Fire kicks off our news with word that Viz has apparently gotten the rights to the Ryuusei no Rockman anime, the game to be known in the US as MegaMan Star Force.

   Sadly, what this means for what should be the large remainder of MegaMan NT Warrior is unknown.

   Perhaps Viz will return to that someday? They were late to the party for the NT Warrior toons, maybe they want to be right there when the game launches this time.

2. Just in case you forgot, yesterday the Wii Virtual Console got some rather grand new titles added to the lineup. If you haven’t already, go get some!

   …and for those wondering, it’s been reported that yes, the Minus World can be reached

   Despite that, I don’t believe this for a second, unless I can get some trustworthy verification.

   Plus, Racketboy explains why R-Type saw a price increase. Makes one wonder what happens if we get Super Mario All-Stars.

   Did any of you download any of the Christmas offerings?

3. This was a most unexpected thing to wake up to on Christmas morning: the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, has passed on.

   Eerie to me, personally, is that he shares my birthday.

   Can’t say I listened to his music much or was a huge fan or anything, but I did have that sort of appreciation one has for a celebrity who is simply “there.” The kind of there where it’s as though they’ve always been there for as long as you’ve known, and it seems like they always will be there. A sort of “comfort” there, like the sky being blue and the grass being green. And that he’ll no longer be “there” in that sort of sense is where I feel his passing most.

4. If you’re lucky enough to find it, Target has a sale this week on games like Zelda: Twilight Princess, Final Fantasy XII, and Gears of War.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

Not too much going on, thanks to the holidays, but let’s see what we can turn up…

1. Good news, 360 owners! Your warranty has just been extended.
2. UK Wii owners, come on down and get the latest Virtual Console goodies, including the censored Contra III of Europe, Super Probotector!
3. Santa Claus: Jedi Knight.
4. If you’re playing Oblivion on the XBox 360, you should probably check this out.
5. GN has a few tidbits about Dragon Quest IX from Yuji Horii.
6. Can’t help but wonder if this wasn’t part of Nintendo’s plan all along, in that much like a rechargable battery for the Wii remote, they felt that third-parties would do better in offering their own component cables.

   To that end, Talismoon reveals their own new, reportedly cheaper Wii component cables.

7. …High School Musical for the Wii?

   I don’t know what to say. Except “pass.”

8. …oh good lord…

   “PlayStation 3 Offered as Raffle Prize in PlayStation 3 Police Shooting Case”

   …man, those Wilmington cops are real Mensa material, aren’t they?

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

Late day today, Christmas season, etc. Not going to leave you empty-handed, but I’m just going to try and run over the big stories today, and lump the rest of the stuff in tomorrow’s editions.

1. Nintendo has offered up a press release which names the games to expect on Christmas morning. Super Mario Bros., Super Castlevania IV (FINALLY), Toejam & Earl, Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, and R-Type will land after Santa’s departure, with Baseball and the game only I seem to hold any appreciation for, Urban Champion, ringing in the New Year…

   How very odd that they’re charging extra for R-Type…

2. Forbes thinks that the days of gaming as we know it are numbered.

   Me, I’m not so sure. For one thing, not to knock PC gaming, there’s some great stuff out there, but I usually prefer to do my gaming from the bed or couch rather than a swivel-chair.

3. Behold, the history of the FPS… with pictures.
4. Plans for DS/Wii connectivity are well under way, says Nintendo.
5. And you thought the original XBox controller was huge.

   Watching two guys play Super Mario Bros. has never been so much fun.

6. IGN has tons of TMNT tidbits, including the movie’s voice cast, a new poster, and pics.

   …Kevin Smith in a TMNT movie? Sold.

7. Harry Potter takes on his final adventure in the newly-named Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

…and that’s all for tonight. Seeya tomorrow!

–LBD “Nytetrayn”