Nintendo Wii U Review: A look at Nintendo's latest gaming console

The Nintendo Wii U console looks almost exactly like the original Wii. At 10.6 inches, it's longer than the 8.5 inches orginal Wii, a bit rounder on the edges, and there's an HDMI port out back, but overall it's quite similar to its predecessor. You'd surely confuse between the two if they were sitting besides each other. But the same can't be said for the internals, as they've been beefed up.

Talking about specs, there's an IBM Power-based multi-core processor and an AMD Radeon custom high-def GPU on the inside. There's an HDMI port and a slightly altered AC power port. There are two versions of storage, with the $300 model getting just 8GB of internal flash memory while the $350 model gets 32GB. Since both flash and full-on external HDDs are supported via the 4 USB ports, storage is not much of an issue. The Wii U console is made of glossy, fingerprint-loving plastic.

The Wii U's touch-based GamePad controller is the star of the show here. It's a 6.2 inches resistive touchscreen controller with an 854×480 resolution in a 16:9 ratio, with a microphone residing along the bottom. A player-facing camera is also there. Two clickable analog sticks punctuate the left and right sides of the GamePad, and the plus and minus buttons sit along the lower right. Also present is the four-button layout and d-pad line up on either side of the touchscreen just below the analog sticks.

Besides the Gamepad, there's also a Pro Controller. The Pro Controller is basically a hybrid of the PlayStation 3's DualShock and the Xbox 360's controller.

When it comes to the UI, it's a simplified version of the user interface found in the original Wii. Movable, rounded square tiles (five across, three down) represent most of the experience, aside from the ability to swipe.

Backwards compatibility works without any issues, but the system requires a full restart to use the Wii's functionality. The same can be said for returning to the Wii U dashboard, with a full 30-second switchover each time.

Here are some of the cool Nintendo Wii U game titles available at the moment:

• NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. U
• NINTENDO LAND
• ZOMBIU

Nintendo promised consumers a modern HD gaming console. Though the Wii U delivers on that promise, but only in some respects. The Games look gorgeous and the new Gamepad controller is another successful innovation. But there are also some major missteps and half-baked ideas. There's still time before the console shows its true worth.

Nintendo DSi in action

Take a look at the upcoming Nintendo DSi in the video above.

Konami to release PES 2008 Handheld Versions

Konami Digital Entertainment has announced to release two new handheld versions of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, namely the PSP and Nintendo DS.

PSP and Nintendo DS handheld offer all the realism and intuitive controls that are associated with the series. However, the company said that it is within bespoke versions tailored for their host format. Both the handheld versions are developed by Konami’s football Studio based in Tokyo.

Featuring a lot of common features of the existing PlayStation 2 game, the PSP handheld version of PES 2008 comes with a variety of tournaments and leagues on offer. Moreover, it also provides an all-new World Tour mode that enables the user to set a series of challenges as he/she tour the globe.

When the player completes each task successfully, his/her chosen quad is unlocked and has to face further tests. PES 2008 also integrates Full Edit mode, allowing consumers to continue building their team, when they are away from the home system. For this specs, you need to thank the data sharing aspect that has been reworked. The PES 2008 also gives the opportunity to the user to exchange Master League information, League, World Tour and Cup Mode data between PSP and PlayStation 2 versions.

Coming to the Nintendo DS version of PES 2008, it contains Exhibition, Penalty Shoot-Out and Konami Cup elements. Furthermore, it also carries a variant on the World Tour system for the consumer to face elite teams from every continent.

Konami has utilized the wireless elements of the Nintendo DS along with a Network Mode, making it possible to enjoy multi-player games of up to four users with copies of game. It also allows consumers to play one-against-one matches with just one copy of PES 2008. Surprisingly, this game permits the players to trade other players with friends. The collected coins are then used to add the world’s best players to their team.

PES 2008 is currently available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and PC-DVD. However, the handheld version of PES 2008 on PSP and Nintendo DS are expected to release by early 2008.

PlayStation 3 Outsells Wii in Japan

The Wii is universally loved, especially in its home country Japan. Month after month since launch, the Wii managed to outsell fellow Japanese rival PlayStation 3, but that all changed this month, as the final tally favors Sony’s console for November.

Citing information from Enterbrain, Reuters reports the PlayStation 3 outsold the Wii in the four weeks to November 25. Sony sold 183,217 PlayStation 3 and Nintendo sold 159,193 Wii in the period.

The PlayStation 3’s climb to the top of the Japanese sales charts has been one building up for months. The Wii was outselling the PlayStation 3 by six-to-one during summer, but by fall, the gap narrowed to three-to-one.

Despite the PS3’s success in November, some analysts feel that the console’s stay at the top may only be temporary.

"It's nice to see the system selling much better than six months ago. But is it a sustainable trend? Is it going to really escalate from here? I'm not so sure," KBC Securities analyst Hiroshi Kamide said. "Overseas, I don't really see the PS3 doing that much at Christmas time primarily because it's still more expensive than the other machines and has less software."

Sony told the media that sales of PlayStation 3 have tripled in the U.S. thanks to Black Friday sales, though early reports from Microsoft and Nintendo have placed sales of the two other consoles above that of the PS3.

New Battery to double the current PSP playing time

Soon gamers will be able to game for even longer on their PlayStation Portables--undoubtedly good news for all those with lengthy commutes. When the PSP Slim was announced at this year's E3, many were disappointed that the criticism of the original device's battery life was not addressed.

Announced on the official PlayStation US Blog, the new 2200mAh battery will double the playing time of the PSP Slim, although it will make the Slim less slim due to the fact that the battery is "slightly thicker" than the standard model. The battery will come with two custom PSP Slim covers in piano black and ice silver to match the rest of the unit.

The battery can also be used with the original PSP model, and is due out in North America in mid-December for $44.99. A Sony Europe spokesperson told that there are currently no plans to release it anywhere else.

Limited Editions of Nintendo DS for Christmas announced

Nintendo seems to be taking care of it's customers at a time when the Wii will be going out of stock during the main festive season. Nintendo has recently announced to release a special limited edition of DS Gold and Metallic Rose.

According to Nintendo, the glimmering Gold edition shows the world your passion for excellence and grandeur. It comes bundled with The Legend of Zelda.

The Metallic Rose edition comes in a pretty pink color and is bundled with Nintendogs, the puppy-interaction software that allows players to select, train and play with their own canine companions.

“Nintendo DS remains the portable system of choice for gamers,” said George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. “Our new bundles will be collector’s items for current gamers while offering an attractive way for people new to video games to play with style.”

The price has not yet been unvieled but what so ever the cost, the new Nintendo DS is going to make every gamer’s festival extremely enjoyable.

Xbox Teams with ESPN on NFL and NCAA Downloads

Sports fans who own an Xbox 360 are in for a treat. Microsoft has announced that, starting today, it will bring select ESPN programming to the Xbox Live network, including NCAA games and sports-centric reality shows.

Confirmed programming includes full-length NCAA basketball and football games, X Games competitions, and even "Madden Nation," which pits the best Madden NFL gamers against one another, according to a story posted to ESPN . News wire service Reuters reports "World Series of Poker" and the reality boxing competition, "The Contender" to the list.

Xbox 360 owners can purchase the programs in either standard- or high-definition formats. Commercial-free NCAA games, to be available within 48 hours of the game's conclusion, will go for $3 in standard-definition and $4.50 in hi-def. The other ESPN shows will go for a bit less: $2 for SD, $3 for HD.

For some time now Microsoft has offered programing for download through Xbox.

The first ESPN Xbox Live offering will be a replay of Saturday's USC vs. Oregon State college football game.

Xbox 360 Arcade Gets Official, Targets Younglings

One of the worst-kept secrets in Microsoft's "lock box" was finally unveiled today. The Xbox 360 Arcade was leaked and spotted in the wild well before the official word came from Microsoft -- much like the leaks that preceded the announcement of the new holiday bundles for the Xbox 360 Premium and Xbox 360 Elite.

As expected, the Xbox 360 Arcade features a wireless controller, HDMI output and a 256MB memory card which is highly useful as the Arcade does not feature a HDD. Also included with the console are five games: Boom Boom Rocket, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, Pac-Man Championship Edition and Uno.

"As families gather together this holiday, it’s the perfect time to launch a new low-priced, high-value Xbox 360 that plays games, TV shows and music for everyone to enjoy," said Microsoft's Jeff Bell. "In addition to offering an incredible all-in-one package for families to get right into the fun, the Xbox 360 Arcade system features the industry-leading Family Settings, which allow parents to control what their kids are watching and playing -- and we know how important that control is to families around the world."

The Xbox 360 will retail for $279.99 -- the same price as the outgoing Xbox 360 Core. Microsoft is using the added value included at the $279.99 price point to set its sights on families for the holiday season.

Read more ..

UT3 for PS3 officially pushed to '08

Last month, Epic Games president Mark Rein cautioned fans that a November release for Unreal Tournament 3 on the PlayStation 3 and PC was just a target and not a certainty. Epic appears to have missed the target with the PS3 edition of the game: Publisher Midway today announced that it expects that it won't ship that version of the game until the first quarter of 2008.

The warning comes in spite of a statement from Rein late Tuesday saying that the studio is still toiling to get the PS3 UT3 completed by year's end. However, Midway president and CEO David Zucker said in an investor conference call that any delay will not affect the PC edition, which is still set to release in early November.

Zucker also said there is release window yet announced for the Xbox 360 version of Unreal Tournament 3, which is set to arrive sometime next year. However, a Midway representative confirmed to GameSpot that UT3 would still see a period of console exclusivity on the PS3.

Read more ..

Playstation 3 Ready to Rumble, But Not Go Home

You win some, you lose some, and sometimes it's better to put your foot in your mouth than on the hands of gamers, who probably know better than to take you seriously anyway when you call something like force feedback a "last generation feature." Enter the Playstation 3 DUALSHOCK Wireless Controller, announced in Tokyo yesterday, coming as a standalone accessory in November to Japan and spring 2008 to North America and Europe. Welcome back force feedback, we sure did miss ya.

For posterity, let's revisit what Harrison told GameDaily in this interview last February, after being asked "If gamers want it and are vocal enough, will Sony reintroduce the force feedback at some point?"

We have no plans to do so in the standard controller that ships with PlayStation 3. I believe that the Sixaxis controller offers game designers and developers far more opportunity for future innovation than rumble ever did. Now, rumble I think was the last generation feature; it's not the next-generation feature. I think motion sensitivity is. And we don't see the need to do that. Having said that, there will be specific game function controllers, potentially like steering wheels that do include vibration or feedback function—not from us but from third parties.

Read More ..