1. N-Philes has a feature up that describes the “The Animal Crossing Effect,” talking about the idea of taking a game from a past generation(such as the Japanese version of Animal Crossing, called Dobutsu no Mori on the N64) and optimizing it for a new generation(GameCube) and a new audience(North America).

   Within the article, Ben Wood also takes a look at four games he thinks would benefit from this kind of treatment.

2. Looks like Death Note is coming to the DS. That should be interesting… wonder if it’ll play something like Phoenix Wright?
3. ZeldaPower has an interesting little bit where they translate some Hylian text.
4. Slashdot links to a new addition to Seanbaby’s page, featuring the 20 worst video games of all time. Language abounds.

   Also take note of the changes from what he wrote to what went into print, as noted at the bottom there. Makes you wonder why they even hire people to do this if they don’t want what they write…

5. Extra! Extra! Sony Bones Europe(again)!

   Remember, boys and girls: The Next Generation doesn’t start until Sony says it does.

6. Kotaku takes note of a great day in gaming, back in 2002.

LBD “Nytetrayn”

Not doing a full-blown “Daily ‘Shroom” today, but I figured this little tidbit was too good to hang on to until the end of the weekend.

As I was perusing my Deviant Art account, I saw that Beamer had added a pic of “movie protoform Starscream,” which definitely caught my eye.

Seems a foreign BBS has a thread with a ton of pics of a pair of toys marked “movie preview” that depict both Starscream and Optimus Prime in their protoform states– that is, the forms they have before adopting Earthly vehicle forms such as jets and trucks.

While I don’t get the story about “searching for the Allspark”(it’s at www.Allspark.com, duh. Seriously, though…), can’t deny that I do like these designs.

The “entry mode” is an interesting touch, seemingly made to show the TransFormers arriving on Earth perhaps without spaceships, and more as some sort of pods. At least, if I were to guess.

I still don’t think Starscream’s robot mode looks too Starscream-ish, but Prime’s seems pretty good, even though both are fairly monochromatic. In Prime’s case, I’m actually reminded of the early Beast Wars bat form of Optimus Primal. Homage, or coincidence? You be the judge. (But I’m betting on coincidence.)

With this, the coming months should prove interesting as new information and images are released, counting down to the film’s summer 2007 release.

LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. GameSpot reports that Sony has followed up about the Sixaxis controller batteries, and naturally the concerns raised about them.

   According to GamesIndustry.biz, a Sony representative told the site that the electronics giant “will provide a service to replace wireless PS3 controllers ‘when and if’ their lithium batteries degrade.” The representative added that it would be many years before the batteries degraded. There was no indication as to how much–if anything–Sony would charge for the service.

   So, with any luck, it won’t cost as much for a new controller as it will for their service to replace the batteries.

   Ah, you’d think it ends there, but Press the Buttons raises an interesting point: what about down the line?

2. A company in the UK is looking to duplicate Nintendo’s efforts across all platforms.

   Will it be successful? I’ve my doubts, personally, as it’s not a standard feature, and fact is, it seems the majority of people aren’t often willing to shell out the money needed for strange add-ons or peripherals.

   PS2 hard drive, anyone? Hell, that’s probably why “connectivity” didn’t really catch on for Nintendo: all the extra spending.

   But, you never know. DDR pads seem to do alright.

   IGN takes a look at the device in greater detail, with pictures.

3. Three words:

   Fraggle Rock returns.

   …guess I ought to add a couple more words: “in a new movie.”

4. Oh, God bless you, Konami, for you really DO care.

   Even though it’s not quite in the way I’d hoped, Konami is bringing a compilation of games to the Nintendo DS, and IGN has an exclusive look.

   The current roster of more than a dozen games is not final yet, but the definites in this pack include Circus Charlie, Contra, Gradius, Roc’N Rope, Rush’N Attack, Time Pilot, Track & Field, and Yie-Ar Kung Fu. At least four more games will make the list…hopefully more if development time allows for it.

   And it shows the arcade version of Contra… sweet! Now if only they’d do a series-specific mega-pak, I’d be all set.

   Some other familar faces and new features will definitely make the trip enjoyable as well.

   One thing I do question, however, is whether turning the DS sideways for vertically-oriented games is the best option. I mean… two screens, stacked vertically… see where I’m going with this? Or would the gap in between the screens make it too disorienting somehow?

5. I didn’t report on the Sony PS3 “fact sheet” yesterday, because frankly I don’t care. I just want the damn systems to come out already.

   Still, there are readers that do, and one mentioned to me that Sony is backpedaling on what they said in regards to the sheet, which I find more interesting than the sheet itself.

   Hell, even Nintendo took notice.

   Anyway, see what the whole deal is here.

6. Speaking of backpedaling…

   If they keep it up at this rate, they may very well fix everything they said since E3. Wouldn’t that be something?

7. Oh lord.

   Just reading this headline makes me roll my eyes.

   Know when the last time I heard a company spouting off about “brand loyalty” was?

   Around 1995 or 1996, when Nintendo was setting up the Nintendo 64.

   …are we there yet? Have we successfully made all the parallels between this system and that?

8. I’ve seen it mentioned around in different places and stories, so just to sum up: it looks like Japan is the only place that needs to worry about ordering online for the GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, as it seems Europe and America are both good to go at retail.

LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. IGN looks at what’s inside the PS3 package, and gives some pricing. Sounds like the hardware is rolling as we speak.

   As a treat, the first 500,000 PlayStation 3 units shipped will include the Blu-ray edition of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The bonus puts the Blu-ray edition of the Will Ferrell film in customers’ hands ahead of its retail release on December 12.

2. Good news: the Wii will have component cables.

   Bad news: they’re only available online.

   PS3 is in a similar boat, but theirs might be in stores, at least.

3. Also bad news, at least for Halo fans. Joystiq reports that both Fox and Universal have pulled out of the agreement, leaving the movie without a studio.
4. And here people call Nintendo the innovators.

   I don’t think anyone was expecting Sony to produce a disposable controller, though that might account for the reports of how cheap it feels.

   …of course, for $50?

   I don’t think so, Ken.

LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. Allspark reports of a new GI Joe/TransFormer crossover entitled “Black Horizon.”

   It seems like they’re looking to combine the two biggest plot elements(devices?) of the two respective movies from the 80s. Most interesting indeed.

   Also, if you remember Andrew Wildman, who did the art for most of the later Marvel Generation 1 run, as well as the second War Within series… well, he’s back!

2. Also from The Allspark, Diamond Select is releasing a new statue showcasing the climax of the original TransFormers movie as the Chosen One prepares to “light our darkest hour.”
3. The next piece in the implementation of game-based advertising is moved into place as Nielsen prepares to offer their services for games.
4. Ah, excellent. It seems that sequel is on the way for what I feel was a rather underrated movie, The Punisher.

   “The script comes in a couple of weeks, and it’s going to be darker, bloodier and more unfriendly than the first one,” Jane recently advised MTV News.

   Sadly, no other details available.

5. IGN reports that the DS dominates sales in Japan.

   Oh, wait, that’s not news. That’s not even close.

   They do use the opportunity to make a cute new meaning for the “DS” acronym, however.

6. Konami finally pretends to listen to me with the impending release of Salamander Portable, Parodius Portable, and Twinbee Portable for the PSP. Of course, no word on a US release yet…

   Now come on, give us a Contra collection, a Castlevania collection, maybe a good 2-D Metal Gear collection… preferably on a console, but I’ll take it either way.

7. IGN reports on yesterday’s news of Mario Kart Arcade GP 2, which now features Waluigi, Tamagotchi(?!), and voice commentary, as well as an updated Namcam. onNintendo has a scan here.

   I do wish they’d have ported the first to the Cube as a sendoff of sorts. Or maybe an early Wii title.

   Maybe I should call Dave & Buster’s…

8. So, Family Guy is out. Hope it’s as good as it seems.
9. One of the most eagerly anticipated Wii games(or so I’m told), Wario Ware Inc: Smooth Moves is coming to the US on January 15th.
10. Just because the Wii isn’t on sale yet doesn’t mean you can’t accessorize.
11. Go Nintendo provides us with a quick peek at Canadian Wii pricing from Toys R Us.
12. “School Bans Tag.

    Well, that does it. Childhood is now officially finished.

    Watch parents continue to bitch when their kids aren’t getting enough Lose Weight Exercise, though.

    Joystiq adds their two cents, but they pretty much just say the same thing I already did.

13. Just to prove he really IS crazy, Jack Thompson is going on a tour of college campuses.

    Jack, I tell you this as a friend. Bathe in cow blood, and go swimming with sharks. It’ll be much safer for you. Trust me, I saw a guy in a recent movie put a fishhook through the side of his mouth and go swimming with them, he got away ok. Sure, his mouth hurt like hell afterwards, but that’s a small price to pay.

    Hmm, who knows, maybe he’s given up the courts and is trying to become a martyr. Someone will probably do something, perhaps even lethal, and it can all be blamed on video games. And Jack has the last laugh in death.

14. Eh, forget the XBox 360, I’m just going to wait for the new one to come out.

LBD “Nytetrayn”

The quick-n’-dirty edition.

1. EB has added some more bonuses to their Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin preorders, and since it seems to be US-only(or maybe even online-only), you just KNOW I’m cussing like a sailor right now.

   An anniversary soundtrack, a stylus, a game case, AND an art book? Damn it all.

2. At the official TransFormers movie website, voting has opened for the contest to select a fan-written line for Optimus Prime to speak in the movie.

   Personally, I like “When I’m done with you, Megatron, there won’t be enough left of you to transform into a handgun.”

   …just… just don’t vote for “Do a barrel roll.”

   Additionally, The Allspark has reported that Megatron’s head will get a new design.

3. On a related note, composer Vince DiCola stopped by Don Murphy’s forum to give his thanks to the fans for their support, and offer up a new song called TransFormers Suite 2006.
4. Nintendo has opened a new contest for Pok?mon fans to celebrate the launch of Pok?mon Mystery Dungeon for the Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance systems.

   The new Pok?mon Mystery Dungeon video game for Nintendo DS Lite and Game Boy Advance SP asks the question, “What if you woke up one day and you were a Pok?mon?” For the first time, players play as an actual Pok?mon. They can even talk and interact with other Pok?mon. In the SmugMug Pok?mon Mystery Dungeon Detectives contest, fans are invited to create photos or artwork depicting their own stories about why they were turned into a Pok?mon and what life is like as a Pok?mon.

5. IGN reports the possibility of Hellboy taking on the Universal Monsters, as well as a third movie following the second.

   Cool stuff.

   On a related note, remember Heat Guts MegaMan.EXE? I’ve sort of wondered if that huge red fist wasn’t a little bit Hellboy-inspired.

6. According to Slashdot, PS3 games are already filling up the BluRay disc space.

   “{Phil Harrison) views this as a positive thing, and suggests that the company will up the limit on the media format to 50 GB sometime next year.”

7. A few places have mentioned this, EA charging for unlockables/cheats in the new Tiger Woods game.

   You can still get your unlockables the old-fashioned way, of course.

   Personally, I’m all for this. If this kind of thing were in play sooner, maybe I’d have fought Giga Bowser or opened Final Destination in Super Smash Bros. Melee by now.

8. Following the Fierce Deity Link and upcoming Samus statues comes the Skull Kid statue from First 4 Figures.

   This and the others look really cool, but know what would really take the money I don’t have? Some sort of statue of Mario, in Super Smash Bros. Brawl style.

   Or Bowser.

   Better yet, make both have have it so the two can fit together so that they’re fighting.

   THAT would be art.

9. Hell.

   Press the Buttons reports that the Mario Kart Arcade GP game is getting a sequel. I still haven’t found the first!

   …I wonder if maybe Playdium out in Mississauga would have it…

10. So IGN UK reports that the PS3 Sixaxis controller is the worst thing ever, and everyone has jumped all over it.

    For the sake of balance, a Wii development kit froze.

Sorry for the short, blunt, late treatment here, but this site doesn’t pay the bills(maybe if more people clicked ads that interested them… it’s free to look, you know), and I’m having to hunt, so that’s kind of affecting things a little. I’ll try and do better later.

LBD “Nytetrayn”

A slow week begets a slow weekend, I suppose. Here’s a few tidbits from around and about.

1. Don’t forget! Today starts the Canadian EB Games Wii and PS3 preorders! If you have about $200 to put down on it, that is… and are an EB Insider, according to EB employees.

   Sadly, I won’t be taking part, instead looking for a job so that maybe I can someday enjoy a Wii at all… or at least have a roof over my head to play it in.

2. Go Nintendo features a video which showcases a piece of music by Kazumi Totaka which has made its way through a number of different Nintendo video games for 10 years.
3. Steve Kent talks video games, likening Nintendo to an old friend with a drinking problem, and betting XBox 360 beats all the rest this holiday season.

   I do feel it’s also worth noting that the company is now under a different head than it was with the past examples.

4. Yeah, I guess any plans of going to Nintendo World for the Wii launch are sort of dashed now, as they’ve stopped taking preorders, seemingly for good this time.
5. Go Nintendo presents: The Toronto Star vs. the Nintendo DS Lite, a tale of a mother who just doesn’t want to introduce video games into her family, and how Nintendo’s strategy is working.
6. If you’re looking at Bubble Bobble Revolution as a potential purchase, it’s best to hold off for now.
7. Joystiq reports that Dead Rising will be $39.99 at Best Buy this week.
8. Joystiq sides with eBay on the new system auction cancellations.
9. And on today’s edition of Sony Sez’, courtesy of Kotaku:

   “We’re pretty pleased with UMD… UMD has a fantastic attachment ratio. Where we’ve struggled a little is getting a decent proposition for full-length movies. UMD is not the problem?it’s getting the right content that’s the challenge.”

   Big K ain’t buying that one, though.

10. Sony’s first North American PS3 commercial, “The Wait.”

    The Wait is on.

11. Wow, I know there are no new Mega Man X games on the planned horizon, but washing cars?

    Man, I know times are tough, X, but you can do so much better. I can truly empathize with your position…

12. Kotaku links to a closed eBay auction that is a holy grail of sorts for Game & Watch collectors.

    Even if you can’t afford it, it’s that sort of curiousity that makes it worth a peek.

13. Oh, wow. WeeMee? I wonder if Nintendo has a case.
14. Press The Buttons asks, why all the lies?

LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. Was at a Canadian EB Games earlier today, and some interesting news they told me about the Wii preorders on Monday. Mind, I don’t know for sure they knew just what they were talking about, so consider this a warning to take with a grain of salt:

   One thing is that preorders will be limited to something called “EB Insiders” or something, some little club they’ve got going on. Second is that they’ll only be getting about 6-8 units per store. And the last is that they say that like the PS3, they’ll need a $200 deposit for it.

   …I asked why they didn’t just have people pay the whole amount up front. That part, they seemed a little uncertain on, but they stuck by it.

   And in the States, it seems that at least some places require you to have preordered/to preorder games/accessories to preorder the system. Go Nintendo also has many other campout stories.

   So… yeah. I imagine if I have the money by launch time, I’m camping out at Best Buy. If I don’t strike it rich and just go to the Nintendo World Store.

2. In a related bit, it seems that EB/GameStop are offering the option of different bundles, or the option of of a la carte’.

   That premium pack tickles my fancy, though I’m not sure if it’s a deal or just adding everything together.

3. GameSpot says that the judge has ok’d Bully, and Jackass has compared the impending release to an Iran nuclear crisis.

   I wish the judge would be able to hold him in contempt for the letter, frankly.

   Or breathing, ideally. He’s depriving the rest of us who use oxygen to feed our brains.

   Though I may be speaking in haste; his letter does seem to raise some valid points.

   Chris Kohler at Game|Life sees this as a shallow victory, however. He also links to Destructoid’s interesting play-by-play of the case.

4. So it looks like G4 is done-4(sorry, couldn’t help myself).

   “I do agree with the vision of going after young men more than just going after gaming,” E! and Style chief Ted Harbert told the trade pub. “Gaming has been demonstrated as being too narrow.”

   Don’t know about all that, though I do find it regretable, as I did enjoy some of the programs still, but I wonder what happens for the Canadian version, which seems to utilize a lot of Rogers sponsorship.

   What happens to Call For Help? Reviews on the Run? Electric Playground? Attack of the Show? I’ll miss Icons, Cinematech, and Cheat.

5. Details of next year’s E3 have surfaced.
6. So as it turns out, some of Capcom’s star talent over at Clover had already left the company several months ago.

   In other words, Clover was largely as good as dead, anyway.

   For those who wish to see it, 1UP presents what may very well be the last interview of Clover Studios.

7. Sad news for everyone’s favorite Annelid, as it looks like Earthworm Jim for the PSP may be cancelled, due to the selling of Shiny.

   …yeah, sure, I didn’t really want another PSP game anyway…

8. So games aren’t porn in Oklahoma. At least, not yet.
9. Good news for Europe: the PS3 isn’t delayed again after all.
10. Kotaku reports that Warren Ellis is going to be writing the animated Castlevania movie.

    They also have some production art. Not too shabby.

11. 2old2game reports that Halo 3 information is going to pop up in magazines soon.

    While this news is certainly exciting, perhaps the most intruiging part of the information is that the development of the game is at a point where it would be shared with the mainstream press.

12. Unlike their competitors, Sony has no point. Er, points.

    Rather than listing values for online buyables with a point system, they are simply going to come out and tell you up front how many Washingtons, Queens, or whoever adorns your currency it will take.

13. TokyoPop looks to get into independent film production with a live-action version of the manga “Lament of the Lamb.”

LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. Wii preorders begin today at EB Games/GameStop. Except in Canada. We have to wait until Monday.

   Which doesn’t matter for me, because I can’t afford to preorder. Kind of a sad irony, isn’t it?

   Go Nintendo has the full scoop for the US and Canada.

2. And don’t forget, Fry’s killer XBox 360 bundle sale starts today.
3. Early yesterday, Capcom announced the closure of developer Clover Studios, makers of games such as Viewtiful Joe, Okami, and the recent God Hand.

   A most unfortunate turn of events for a great game studio housing some of Capcom’s best creators, after the closure of Studio 8(creator of Maximo and Final Fight Streetwise) last year. It leaves one to wonder, “who might be next?”

   Next-Gen has a few Q&A from Capcom regarding the matter as well.

   GameSpy adds:

   “We guess mainstream gamers don’t like creative, original and artistic games, otherwise Capcom wouldn’t be closing down Clover Studio…”

   “While the games developed by Clover Studio have always garnered high praise, sales for its titles haven’t been as stellar.”

   But hey, at least we can always count on more World War II FPS and thug-life games to fill the void, right?

   Game|Life offers that the developers wanted to split from Capcom, and that’s the reason for the closure.

   That I can accept; just seems weak to close them down when two of their games have only just barely hit retail…

4. Splashman reports that Electronic Arts of Europe has moved to neutral territory, presumably as a means to try and escape backlash from those who feel they’ve done wrong.

   Or maybe they just like the scenery, I dunno. Where’s Burnout for the Wii already?

5. Microsoft is partnering up with Best Buy and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to educate parents about video games in a campaign called “Safety Is No Game.”

   “With success comes responsibility,” Bach said in a statement. “We are unwavering in our commitment to address the genuine concerns of families on how to keep interactive entertainment safe and fun for our children.”

   I for one applaud the maneuver, as it shows the sort of initiative and action that might help keep some jerks in Washington off of our backs. Besides, the fewer gradeschoolers I have to hear about playing Grand Theft Auto and such, the better.

6. Nintendo and AiLive are providing Wii developers with a new tool called LiveMove, which will help teach the system gestures.

   Incidently, I had a feeling that things might only improve as the system continues on in terms of movement recognition, and I think this is a good step. Everything may not be 1:1 now, but one must remember that this is also just the beginning of the life of the system. Let’s not forget how other systems have advanced, including the arcade-imperfect Donkey Kong for the NES to the likes of Super Mario Bros. 3, or Super Mario World for the SNES to Donkey Kong Country.

   Go Nintendo provides a bit of video of the new program in action, and Kotaku even has a diagram.

   This is only the beginning.

7. So… is this like the gaming version of the NRA, or what?
8. And, the winner of Graphic Novel of the Year is…
9. Looks like Blizzard has royally boned a number of their World of Warcraft customers. Yikes.
10. It’s nothing official yet, but Engadget thinks that Europe may suffer yet another PS3 delay, for a possible May launch.
11. There has been some talk that Europe may follow Japan in selling The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess as an online-exclusive, but apparently that may not be the case after all.

LBD “Nytetrayn”

1. GameSpot reports that SEGA is bringing a new Afterburner game to the PSP through developer Planet Moon Studios. Might be one to keep an eye out for; the recent Outruns didn’t really stray far from their roots, hopefully this will keep close as well.
2. Investment firm Wedbush Morgan predicts Wii sales will be double that of the PS3 this holiday season.

   Hell, it’d be hard NOT to.

   Of course, EB has sold out of PS3s, so…

3. But, will the talk of Wii sensor bars not working in direct sunlight affect sales?

   Probably not. Frankly, I find that if I’ve got direct sunlight on my TV, I can’t see the damn thing anyway.

   GameSpy digs deeper to address the issue.

4. If you own Animal Crossing: Wild World for the Nintendo DS and haven’t played in awhile, then you may be interested to know that Nintendo has announced that during this, the second week of October, will be the Annual Acorn Festival, where gathering acorns can get your house some unique new mushroom furniture.
5. The US Wii website has updated, featuring some new videos under the collective title of “Wii Experience.”
6. Kotaku line-sits the PS3 preorders, and comes back with some interesting tidbits:

   The store employee told me that the pre-orders bought the people a spot in line when they open on launch day, but if you’re not there when the doors open you loseWeight Exercise your spot.

   Wow, what a load of crap, huh? Also:

   He also claimed that the nearby Best Buy was only getting two and that GameStop and EB were getting “75 to 80 percent of the Playstation 3s.”

   Wow.

7. This just in: Microsoft isn’t a technology company.

   I wonder if this breaking news will have any impact on those monopoly suits…

8. If you own a PSP and go online with it, beware of trojans.

   Sheesh, don’t people have anything better to do than vandalize our stuff?

LBD “Nytetrayn”