Section: News, Consoles, Wii, Game-Companies, Developers

Siliconera‘s been busy uncovering new information this week, as it also found out that Nippon Ichi has been approved to develop Wii and Wiiware titles. As any DS RPG fan already knows, NIS has developed and released games for Nintendo’s other system – two of which, Disgaea DS and Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, were released stateside in October, 2008.

NIS’ first game for the system has already been revealed, Let’s Hitchhike. It is a Wiiware game that is currently scheduled for a 2009 release in Japan. No other titles have been confirmed or announced.

Both Siliconera and Wii Fanboy have mentioned that this could potentially mean a Wii version of Disgaea. I, for one, hope that NIS uses this opportunity to create some new games, rather than create a third port of an already familiar title. I love prinnies, the penguin-bomb Disgaea mascots, as much as the next girl, but I’m Disgaea-ed out.

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: News, Features, Gift Guide, Consoles, PS3, Ads & Media, Print, Web, Advertisements, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers

If you’re still holding out to buy a PS3, Wal-Mart has a good offer to get you into the door.

Starting at 8 a.m., Saturday, November 8, 2008, Wal-Mart will be selling the 80GB PS3 for $399 with a $100 gift card as an added bonus. Wal-Mart can’t sell every PS3 at this price but it will have a minimum of 4 units per store. If you’re in an area that has been consumed by multiple Wal-Mart stores you’re chances will be slightly better.

This 80GB model is part of the generation that doesn’t include backwards compatibility with PS2 games or flash card readers. You could use that gift card to buy a good third-party attachment that could give you flash card readers and extra USB ports if that helps any.

This is also a great time to buy some amazing games including Fallout 3, Resistance 2 or LittleBigPlanet to name a few. Or you could bone up on some of the classics through the PS3 Greatest Hits collection. That gift card card could purchase 3 of those titles. Either way you have to get up super early to come away with this hot commodity.

Via [Wal-Mart] Read [PS3 Daily]

Full Story » | Written by Jeremy Hill for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: News, Consoles, Xbox-360, Genres, 3D, FPS

Sad news is coming out of Canada today (November 6, 2008) – specifically, the town of Barrie, in Ontario. Brandon Crisp was discovered by two deer hunters today a little over a mile away from where his bike was found on October 20, 2008. Brandon originally ran away on October 13, 2008, after a dispute with his parents over video games.

Brandon’s parents, Steve and Angelika Crisp, had felt that the amount of time he spent playing games, specifically Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, was excessive, and they had decided it was time to take away the fifteen year old’s Xbox 360 for good. Brandon rebelled at the news, and decided to run away. His parents thought this threat was idle, and so didn’t stop him – his father even helped Brandon with his preparations before he left.

Video games weren’t a new issue in the Crisp household. TheStar.com reports that Brandon’s parents had suspended his Xbox 360 privileges over 20 times before, due to the amount of the time he spent playing Call of Duty 4 online. His father, Steve Crisp, had purchased the Xbox Live subscription for his son, and Brandon had purchased Call of Duty 4 with his own money.

Our heartfelt consolations go out the the Crisp family in this terrible time. We all hoped that this story would turn out for the best, with Brandon just hiding away at a friend’s home. It is a tragedy that something like this happened to someone so young.

Read [TheStar.com] Also Read [The Star Phoenix] Also Read [TheStar.com] Via [Xbox Fanboy] Also Read [Macleans.ca] Also Read [TheSpec.com]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: News, Consoles, Xbox-360, Updates, Xbox-Live

With the New Xbox Experience (NXE) just over two weeks away from a worldwide launch on November 19, 2008, Microsoft has prepared a selection of Developer Diaries to bring you to up to speed on what you can expect to find tucked away in the mandatory system update.

New developer diaries focused on certain features of the NXE will be released each week, with a selection of six already accessible on Xbox.com. Current topics include the new Avatar system developed by Rare, Netflix support, Themes 2.0 integration and the upgraded Marketplace.

The most recent update is focused on the Avatar system, which will allow users to create custom avatars, similar to the Nintendo Wii’s Miis, that can be used to represent the player on their Dashboard as well as within certain compatible titles, such as the recently released Scene It? Box Office Smash (October 28, 2008).

Major Nelson (aka Larry Hryb) recently spoke with Stacey Law and Scott Brodie from the Avatar development team to discuss what users can expect from the system at launch and in the future. You can watch the full interview below, with additional details available over at the Gamerscore Blog.

Read [Major Nelson] Site [Xbox.com] Also Read [Gamerscore Blog]

Full Story » | Written by Karn Bianco for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: News, Handhelds, DS, Gear, Audio, Genres, Music

Forget about Guitar Hero and Rock Band and even Wii Music. If you really want to make music – real music, not any MIDI-crap or just following along a note chart, then you need to get on top of KORG DS-10 for the DS. The music creation software – which is a fully featured synthesizer – shipped today, November 4, 2008. You can find the game at Amazon, Game Crazy, EB Games, and several smaller electronics chains.

Seriously, this is one of the coolest pieces of software that has ever (and probably will ever) come out for the DS. It’s totally worth looking into if you have any interest at all in making music and supporting independent electronic music in general, check this out.

Read [KORG DS-10]

Full Story » | Written by Danielle Riendeau for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Reviews, Exclusives, Originals, PCs, Windows, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, Casual, Educational

Title: Brain Training for Dummies

Price: $19.99

System(s): PC

Release Date: October 21, 2008

Publisher (Developer): Electronic Arts (Electronic Arts)

ESRB Rating: “Everyone”

Pros: Educational, 15 different exercises, can chart progress, informative and easy to navigate and play.

Cons: Not much fun and you have to read directions for some games.

Overall Score: Two thumbs sideways, 70/100, C-, ** out of 5

EA’s latest line of somewhat-casual games in the For Dummies series are designed to be educational, informative, lighthearted and most importantly fun. The only thing is, Brain Training for Dummies doesn’t quite hit all the points. It is a handy title, and has well designed exercises with simple controls to help build certain skills in players, but it isn’t really fun.

That doesn’t mean its bad. It just may not be for everyone. People accustomed to Nintendo’s Brain Age line may not be as crazy about Brain Training for Dummies because it doesn’t have the same zeal and appeal when it comes to the title’s presentation and tests.
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