Today, Sony announced that the Playstation 3 (PS3) with 20GB hard disk drive (HDD) will come equipped with HDMI output as standard with the system.
From a Sony press release in Tokyo: "Since SCEI first announced product specifications of PS3 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in May 2005, demand for enjoying full HD quality image and realistic digital sound through HDMI has grown tremendously. Given the sharp increase in availability of flat displays supporting HDMI in the market, SCEI has decided to equip HDMI as standard on all PS3 systems.
The Wii chapter of Far Cry has been officially titled "Far Cry Vengeance" from Ubisoft.
From the press release: "Ubisoft officially announced the title and details for its upcoming Far Cry video game for the new Wii console- Far Cry Vengeance®. Based on the highly-successful Far Cry Evolution, Far Cry Vengeance expands on the experience with a new storyline, new maps and new weapons. The game takes advantage of the revolutionary Wii Remote and Nunchuck allowing players to drive, shoot, slash, jump, and climb their way through a rebel-infested, tropical hell. Far Cry Vengeance will be a Wii launch title."
Majesco Entertainment will be bringing two new brain developing games to the Nintendo DS: "Brain Boost: Beta Wave" and "Brain Boost: Gamma Wave."
From the press release: “Each Brain Boost game offers a completely different set of fun, yet challenging, brain training problems that are designed to enhance your mental acuity,” said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing, Majesco Entertainment. “We believe a growing number of consumers are looking for more diversified game play experiences and the Brain Boost games will help attract a new audience to the category.”
Brain Boost: Beta Wave and Brain Boost: Gamma Wave are scheduled to ship in November for a suggested retail price of $19.99 for the Nintendo DS.
Cooking Mama was recently released for the Nintendo DS. The cooking-rhythm-action game is coming to the Wii as well. Expect the same kind of Wario-like mini-gameplay, under the guidance of your Cooking Mama.
A few new things are now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace from the Tokyo Game Show.
Trailers:
Portal (same as the video shown below, but much higher-res!)
Playable Demo:
Fusion Frenzy 2
Video:
TGS Showfloor video 1
TGS Showfloor video Day 1 (Japan only)
GM Sensui Interview (Japan only)
Xbox Live The Party #1 (Japan only)
Xbox Live The Party #2 (Japan only)
Xbox Live The Party #3 (Japan only)
Xbox Live The Party #4 (Japan only)
Announced at the Tokyo Game Show, NAMCO BANDAI will be delivering Eternal Sonata, a new JRPG, to the Xbox 360 in 2007.
From the press release: "The story of Eternal Sonata begins as a famous composer, on his deathbed, drifts between this life and the next. In his reverie, a happenstance encounter of a young girl who accepts her terrible destiny and a young boy fighting to save her, changes the destiny of the world. Uncover the light that shines in each of us in this enduring tale of good and evil."
So what makes the classic JRPG unique? Yoshi Niki, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.'s Product Group Director, says: "With a host of impressive next generation features such as a unique monster morphing system, a hybrid of a turn-based and action battle system with a special attack feature dependent on light and shadow, Eternal Sonata will set a new standard for next-generation RPG gaming."
Seems like Microsoft has been getting a high rate of Xbox 360 consoles sent in for repairs, which were manufactured during 2005. Microsoft has decided to offer free repair service after noticing the high rate of dead Xbox 360s. An IGN article explains the dead 360 return policy.
From the IGN report: "We've made the decision to comp repairs for consoles manufactured before January 1, and provide refunds to the small group of customers who have already paid for repairs," Microsoft said.
So if you have the red ring of death (as shown in the video below) and your console was manufactured before 1-1-06, you are eligible for the free coverage (or refund if you previously paid). Call up 1-800-4MY-XBOX for Microsoft Customer Service if this applies to you.
Three of us at Gaming Bits have had dead Xbox 360s. I've had two Xbox 360s die on me, both with a November 2005 manufactured date. It's good to see that Microsoft has acknowledged the problem, now hopefully they won't keep on recycling the refurbished 360s! Delivery time for the replacement Xbox 360 can sometimes take two weeks or longer.
An official Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin web site (in Japanese) is now live. Several screenshots have been posted, along with some background info (for Japanese readers only!). The follow-up to last year's DS adventure, Dawn of Sorrow, will be coming to the US by the end of 2006.
Get a sneak peak at some screenshots and characters of the upcoming Wii game by SEGA, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, from the newly launched Japanese web site.
