On Playfeed: Nintendo DSi announced, larger screens, dual cameras, DSi Shop store

Nintendo DSi: What does it mean for you?

Posted by Alex Lifschitz
Categories: Culture, Editorial, Hardware, Nintendo, Nintendo DS, Portable/Mobile

Nintendo DSi

So, as we’ve already reported, Nintendo has announced the DSi, a spiffy new iteration of the DS franchise. There’s the larger screens, smaller profile, music playback, SD card slot...But what’s got everybody in a kerfuffle about it is the 3MP camera embedded in the system, both on the top and between the screens. The burning question now is what exactly Nintendo plans to do with the system, and how they’re going to integrate the features. So, if you want some uninformed opinion about the possibilities and future of the DSi, kindly hit the jump.

Click to continue reading Nintendo DSi: What does it mean for you?


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Nintendo Possibly Readying New DS This Year, with New Features [UPDATED]

Posted by Alex Lifschitz
Categories: Hardware, Nintendo, Nintendo DS, Rumors

New DSAccording to Japanese business site Nikkei Net, Nintendo may be prepping to release a brand new (not pictured) by the end of this year. Supposedly, the new and improved DS will feature build-in music playback, better wireless performance, and, most interestingly, and onboard camera, all for less that 20,000 yen. There has not been an official press release by Nintendo, so you’ll want to wait and see how this develops, but it means that the new DS may integrate some of these features into new games, a la Final Fantasy: Before Crisis (which had you use your cell phone camera to craft materia). If past indicators hold true, it should arrive just in time for your Christmas shopping blitz, which would be fortunate, since the Wii has been perpetually sold out each holiday season - and I think that we’re all contractually obligated at this point to throw our money at Nintendo with every re-launch of a system.

UPDATE: Looks like we were right on this one, as Nintendo just announced the new Nintendo DSi!

Read More | CNet

Xbox 360 system update released, preparation for new Xbox experience

Posted by Andru Edwards
Categories: Downloadable Content, Hardware, Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live

Xbox 360 system update

When you log in to Xbox Live today, you are gonna get a notification that a system update is available for you to download. We are here to let you down easy, and prepare you for disappointment. You see, we know that, like us, you are patiently waiting for that new Xbox experience dashboard that we saw back at . That is still scheduled for the fall. The update that you get today does nothing. Well, at least, it does nothing noticeable. According to our pal Major Nelson, today’s update “prepares for future growth of the service.” “Prepares”? What?

Nevertheless, go ahead and hit the install, just don’t expect anything fancy to come of it.


Nintendo announces Wii MotionPlus controller add-on

Posted by Andru Edwards
Categories: E3, Hardware, Nintendo, Wii

Wii Motion Plus

Right before this morning’s Xbox Media Briefing here at , Nintendo announced the new Wii Motion Plus controller add-on. Basically, Wii MotionPlus is an accessory that attaches to the end of the Wii Remote, allowing it to more accurately trace motion in 3D space by constantly monitoring and orienting the controller. Every movement you make with the WiiMote is rendered indentically onscreen, resulting in true 1:1 response. Basically, the device gives you the Wii Remote as it should have been since the start.

See the full release from themselves after the jump. We are sure we will be seeing at least one title tomorrow morning that supports the new accessory during the Nintendo Media Briefing.

Click to continue reading Nintendo announces Wii MotionPlus controller add-on


Sony Expands Blu-Ray Capability in PlayStation 3 with BD-Live

Posted by Sheila Franklin
Categories: Corporate News, Downloadable Content, Hardware, PlayStation 3

PlayStation’s next PlayStation 3 software update, due out later this month, allows downloading of games, videos, and ring tones. The console is to be updated with Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0 and BD-Live will be added to the PS3. The update includes “resume play” for both discs and DVD. You can also copy music and images on a PSP and use it as a remote for the .

We certainly are not surprised at this news as we think that Sony has been silently screaming,”Goody, goody, goody!” since the end of the disc war. While this is the first player that can access the Net, Panasonic also plans to release one with BD-Live later in the spring.

Read More | Examiner

Mario Kart Wii set for North American launch on April 27

Posted by Andru Edwards
Categories: Driving, Hardware, Nintendo, Release Dates, Wii

Mario Kart Wii

After hitting you with the Japan and European launch dates for , we are happy to bring you the news that the game launches here in North American on April 27th. That’s just a mere six weeks away before we can get our hands on all that racing wheel (Wii-l?) goodness. Just a reminder, Mario Kart Wii ships with the Wii Wheel, which is a plastic steering wheel that the Wii Remote can snap right in to, for a more intuitive driving experience.

“Mario Kart Wii transforms one of our most popular franchises into a race that every member of the family can join,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Driving with the Wii Wheel could not be more natural, and this is one place where speeding is encouraged.”

If you prefer not using the add-on, you will be pleased to know that the game works just fine with the Wii Remote all by its lonesome, as well as with the Nunchuk, Classic Controller, and even the Gamecube controller. Similar to Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Nintendo went out of their way to ensure that gamers would be completely comfortable, regardless of their preferred style of play.

Just when we’ve just gotten into Brawl, we are already awaiting our next Wii game purchase. I mean, 16 new courses, 16 classic courses, 10 battle courses, and motorbikes? Who’s with us?


Microsoft ends 360 HD DVD production, slashes HD DVD add-on to $49

Posted by Andru Edwards
Categories: Accessories, Corporate News, Hardware, Hot Deals, Microsoft, Xbox 360

Xbox 360 HD DVD player

Well, with the news that HD DVD had been killed by Toshiba, you knew that it was only a matter of time before the player was eliminated as well, right? Well, the time has come, as Microsoft sent us the following update:

As a result of recent decisions made by , Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD.  Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market.  As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace.  HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own.

Okay, well, shouldn’t that be “HD DVD was one of the several ways...”? So, now that we know that the Xbox 360 HD DVD player add-on will no longer be manufactured, if you really really want one, they can now be had for $49.99. That is 75% off of it’s original price, for those of you keeping track. So if you want a piece of recently outdated technology, now is your chance.

Read More | Bloomberg

Mario Kart Wii, Wii Fit, WiiWare all get release dates

Posted by Andru Edwards
Categories: Driving, Hardware, Nintendo, Release Dates, Wii

Mario Kart WiiFinally, after a long period of silence, has finally made release dates public for a few of their more anticipated products: Mario Kart Wii, Wii Fit, and the WiiWare channel. First up is Mario Kart Wii, which will launch in Japan on April 10th, and Europe the following day on April 11th. No word yet on the US launch date.

The WiiWare channel, which will be a portal to downloading original games to the Wii, will be available on North American units on May 12th. No word on Japan or European launches for WiiWare just yet.

Lastly, Wii Fit, which has been flying off of shelves over in Japan since it’s release back in December, will launch in North America on May 19th. If you are in Europe, Wii Fit will be available in your neck of the woods on April 25th.


Wii shortages continue, Nintendo partners with GameStop on rain check program

Posted by Andru Edwards
Categories: Corporate News, Hardware, Nintendo, Wii

Wii shortagesI just got off a press call with of America President Reggie Fils-Aime where the focus was on the availability of the console. Reggie made it clear that Nintendo never expected the success that Wii has been enjoying since launch, and therefore has remained hard to find despite ramped up production. Nintendo is hoping to help out just a bit with a couple of short-term initiatives.

Click to continue reading Wii shortages continue, Nintendo partners with GameStop on rain check program


OMG Xbox 360 melting!!!

Posted by Sparky
Categories: Culture, Hardware, Microsoft, Xbox 360

Melted Xbox 360

Sensationalism aside it appears the is a meltable platform. Thankfully, the above melted carnage was the result of a not-so-bright user keeping their 360 on their stove(!) rather than a result of console cooling gone wrong - but it’s still an image that will send chills down the spine of any gamer worth their salt. Seriously though folks - don’t store your expensive consumer electronics on a stove - unless you are busy Breaking Stuff!

Read More | Engadget

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