On Gear Live: Video: A look at Android 2.0

Mother’s Day Special Edition DS Lite Bundle

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Nintendo DS, Portable/Mobile, Special Editions

DS Lite BundleThis may be your last chance to get a gift for mom before the big day Sunday, so why not get her something you can borrow? Nintendo has released a Special Edition DS Lite that comes with the software Personal Trainer Cooking. Available in lime green, it also includes a floral pouch and has a price of $149.99. A DSi version is also available in Japan. We wonder who came up with the idea as no mother we know digs cooking all that much or lime green.

Read More | Siliconera

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Infamous Bundled with Uncharted 2 Beta Access

Posted by Drea Avellan Categories: Action, PlayStation 3, Sony

Uncharted 2

If you have been looking forward to Sucker Punch’s for the PS3, but are yet to make up your mind—I’m about to make it up for you. inFAMOUS, will be bundled with exclusive access to the multiplayer beta for Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. The beta is said to run 6/23 to 6/29, but it’s yet unclear what this means. My best guess, is that the beta codes will be available in the first batch of copies to be released. So, why wait? Be sure to get your copy inFAMOUS once it hits stores May 26th.


The Beatles Come To Rock Band

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Music, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360

Beatles Rock Band

MTV Games and Harmonix have convinced Apple Corps, the Beatles’ music company, to put some of their tunes on Rock Band. Included in the deal will be:

  • The Beatles: Rock Band Software - Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii: $59.99.
  • The Beatles: Rock Band Standalone Guitars - Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii: $99.99.
  • The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii: $249.99.

You can visit the site, but the only info available is the date, so we suppose more information will trickle out eventually.

Read More | DVICE

Harmonix Co-Founder Answers Questions About Rock Band

Posted by Paul Hamilton Categories: Accessories, Downloadable Content, Features, Hardware, Microsoft, Music, PlayStation 3, Wireless, Xbox 360

Rock Band Guitar ControllerThe Official Xbox Magazine’s podcast has an interview this week with Harmonix co-founder and president Alex Rigopulos about their upcoming game Rock Band. In the interview he talks about the game bundles, although light on concrete details he does confirm a band-in-a-box bundle that will include a guitar, drum kit and microphone. However, he goes on to say that the PlayStation 3 version will include a wireless guitar controller while the Xbox 360 version will have to include a wired guitar because Microsoft‘s wireless technology is too expensive to make the bundle reasonably priced. Since the 360 also has only two USB ports, the 360 Rock Band bundle will also be packed with a USB hub.

Rigopulos goes on to discuss the game’s career modes a little, saying there will be both solo career mode that progresses in a linear fashion similar to what Guitar Hero players are used to, but they are also including a less linear band career mode. In this mode you traverse to various venues trying to build up your fan base and in some cases return to previously played locations to maintain your fame there. Also it’s worth noting that the solo career mode will not include a bass career track so your options are vocals, guitar and drums in solo career mode. But Rigopulos did reveal that the finale songs for each career path (and therefore likely the difficulty distinctions throughout) will be different for each instrument, and he even said that at this point the drum finale will be The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

Click to continue reading Harmonix Co-Founder Answers Questions About Rock Band

Read More | KOXM Podcast

Brain Age 2 Nintendo DS Bundle Announced

Posted by Chris Pereira Categories: Hardware, Nintendo, Nintendo DS

Brain Age 2 Nintendo DS bundle

If you don’t have a DS yet, this Brain Age bundle might be just what you’re looking for – included is a copy of Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day and a DS sports an all-new color for $149.99. As Nintendo describes the new color: “The top half of the new Nintendo DS sports a smooth, glossy Crimson, reminiscent of a dangerous shade of lipstick or a cherry-red sports car. The bottom is a matte black—an Onyx yin that complements the Crimson yang.” Uhh, okay.

Brain Age 2 includes 15 new activities, including those that challenge you with math, memorization, and music. (Music? Might want to plug in a pair of headphones to avoid hearing those poor DS speakers.)

The bundle will be available in stores on August 21.


UK Gamers Get Horrible Playstation 3 Bundle

Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Culture, Hardware, PlayStation 3

Playstation 3 GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that UK gamers looking to pre-order the Playstation 3 through retailer HMV are being forced to partake in a particularly onerous bundle. An e-mail sent to customers indicates that those who would like to place a pre-order for the Playstation 3 can do so only when also purchasing a 4 GB PSP package. The bundle includes the new PSP, two PSP games and the Playstation 3, but retails for almost 675 GBP, around $1330 US. According to Gamesindustry.biz, Sony was less than sympathetic towards its fanbase, stating that “his is just one of a number of value added incentives that retailers will be offering to mark the launch of PS3.” This bundle seems to be the oddest choice; hardcore fans of Sony’s hardware will likely have already purchased a PSP, and the pricing puts this above the casual fan’s price range. Add this together with no actual guarantee that the Playstation 3 will be available, this action would seem to be the definition of HMV “biting the hand that feeds it.”

Read More | GamesIndustry.biz

GameStop Reveals Wii Bundle Contents

Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Nintendo, Wii

Wii BundleGameStop/EBGames have revealed the contents of their mega-Wii bundle that will be available for pre-order starting tomorrow evening. The bundle will include the following:

  • Wii Console
  • Wii Memory SD 1 GB
  • Additional Remote
  • Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
  • Trauma Center: Second Opinion
  • Red Steel
  • Marvel Ultimate Alliance
  • Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz
  • Madden NFL 2007
  • 12 Month Product Replacement Plan
  • Game Informer Gift Subscription

All of the above will sell for $694.88, making the fantastic EB/GameStop PRP and the subscription to their in-house magazine’s price about $45. While the game selection is decent, the addition of the forced PRP and magazine subscription seems over the top. Add to that the fact that third-party 1 GB SD memory cards sell for about $25 starts pushing this bundle into the price-gouging territory. Hopefully, the amount of consoles that Nintendo ships this holiday will make bundles like this less popular, but consumers may decide that spending a little extra will be worth it for some peace of mind as the Wii launch date nears.

Read More | GameStop

EBGames & GameStop Prepare Price Gouging Wii Bundle

Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Nintendo, Wii

Wii BundleEBGames just sent an e-mail out to their mailing list subscribers describing their online pre-order program. On Thursday evening CST, the company will place a limited number of Wii bundles online. Each bundle will sell for $699, and will be limited to 1 per household. EBGames’ official statement is this:

This Thursday evening (CST), November 9, your opportunity to get in on the excitement arrives when our Wii bundle becomes available for pre-order online at EBgames.com. You’ll get the best games, accessories and more in one convenient package delivered right to your door - all for under $699 plus tax and handling!

Quantities are extremely limited and there will be a limit of 1 Wii bundle per household, limited to US delivery only. Ordering a bundle does not guarantee shipment at launch and orders will be shipped on a first-come, first-serve basis. The bundle will be removed from the site as soon as we have reached our expected quota.

$699 for an online bundle that doesn’t guarantee a console at launch seems to be folly, particularly when so many other retailers seem to be getting a plentiful supply of the console at launch.


Microsoft Japan Offers Lost Planet Bundle

Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Culture, Hardware, Xbox 360, Xbox Live

Lost Planet BundleWhen Lost Planet: Extreme Condition launches in Japan in December, Microsoft will offer a hardware bundle that includes the game, Xbox 360 console, 20GB hard drive, wireless controller, HD AV cable, remote, a 3 month subscription to Xbox Live, and a card that will allow gamers to download an additional stage for Lost Planet. The bundle will retail for 44800 Yen ($381 US). This, put together with the Blue Dragon bundle shows that Microsoft is trying hard to penetrate the Japanese market. The Lost Planet bundle seems to be less of a draw, however, and one wonders if this will drive that many more console sales.

Read More | Famitsu

UK To Get Xbox 360 Bundle

Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Driving, Xbox 360

Project Gotham Racing 3 Microsoft announced today that starting on September 23, they will be offering an Xbox 360 bundle in the UK, including an Xbox 360 Premium system, an extra wireless controller, and a copy of Project Gotham Racing 3 for £299.99 ($565 US). This new bundle sells for £30 more than a standard Premium system, and may help to entice more gamers to choose the Xbox 360 platform this Holiday season. So, in the past few days, Microsoft has announced bundles in both Japan and the UK to try and rack up sales, but so far US gamers have been left in the cold.

Read More | Eurogamer

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