Tag Archives: Nintendo

Nintendo DSi grows a few inches

Rumor has turned to reality: Nintendo will be releasing an updated version of its handheld gaming platform with the Nintendo DSi XL (DSi LL in Japan).  The screen size is jumping from 3.5 inches to a noticably larger 4.2 inches.  Nintendo has confirmed that the DSi XL will be released in the first quarter of 2010.  Although there was no statement of price, take this and make what you will of it: The LL version releases in Japan on November 21 for ¥20,000 (or about $221).

[Via Engadget, here & here]

Netflix streaming coming to PS3 (and Wii?)

Sony announced that it will be offering Netflix streaming movies and TV shows to its Playstation 3 console owners come this November, thereby throwing the Xbox 360-Netflix exclusitivity out the window.  Initially PS3 owners will be forced to feed a Netflix CD into the console in order for streaming capabilities to function.  Don’t fret too much; Sony plans on releasing a software update sometime in 2010 that will remove this annoying barrier to entry.  PS3 owners can order a streaming CD directly from Netflix.  Check out the official press release after the break.

It is worthy to note that streaming Netflix on the PS3 (on Sony’s end) is absolutely free.  What you pay for is the Netflix service itself, which starts at $8.99/month and rises as you increase the number of rentals.  The Xbox 306, on the other hand, requires you to pay to stream Netflix content; you must be an Xbox Live Gold member ($50/year subscription) to access the Netflix menus.

In much related news, Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter foresees the Nintendo Wii also gaining the ability to stream video via the Netflix service sometime next year.  Though will many be excited for Netflix capabilities on a non-HD device?

[Via Engadget, here & here; IGN]

Continue reading Netflix streaming coming to PS3 (and Wii?)

NES-in-a-cartridge

This is one awesome mod.  It’s a Nintendo Entertainment System ROM player built into an NES game cartridge.  Apparently “it’s just a generic Chinese media player that can play NES, Gameboy, and Gameboy Color ROMs, along with the relevant controller bits, a 2.8-inch LCD, 4GB of storage, and a rechargeable battery.”  You can also hook it up to a TV to play that way.  Go back in time you nostalgic dreamers with the video above.

[Via Engadget]

Nintendo announces Wii price cut

After Microsoft and Sony decided to slash the price of their video game consoles,  Nintendo wanted in on the fun.  Effective September 27, the Nintendo Wii will become $50 cheaper and will sell for $199.99.

So, where does this leave us?  Xbox 360 = $299.  PS3 Slim = $299.  Wii = $199.  Prices are dropping and games and content are getting better.  This is a win-win situation for the consumers!

In related Nintendo news, the ever-popular sequel to Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, is packing a second WiiMotionPlus in its bundle.  Starting October 12, Wii Sports Resort will include the game, two MotionPlus accessories, and will cost $60.  Yes, that is $10 more than what it cost before, but now it has a second MotionPlus; don’t complain.

[Via Joystiq; Gizmodo]

Black Wiimote, new DSi colors, Wii Fit are coming (no matching console)

This holiday season Nintendo will ship black versions of the Wiimote, WiiMotionPlus, and nunchuck.  The Wiimote and the MotionPlus accessory will ship together as a bundle, and the nunchuck will be sold separately.  Still, though, there is no word on the coveted jet black Wii console shipping in North America.  In related news, the DSi is widening its color palette with two new flavors: pink and white.  They will be made available on September 15.  In less related news, the next iteration of Wii Fit dubbed Wii Fit Plus ships October 4.  You can get the Wii Fit Plus bundle that includes the original Wii Fit, the new Wii Fit Plus, and the balance board for $99.99 or you can opt to simply get the new software for a mere $19.99.  Plus features 15 brand new mini-games that promise to be more Americanized for our Western-bent methods of exercising.  See the gallery below for images of the new hardware.

[Via Engadget; Gizmodo]

WiiHD…where are you?

The Wii looks gorgeous in stunning high definition.  “Pumped through a Wii PC emulator, these images are just upscaled versions of the [game’s] existing graphics—in other words, you’re not even seeing what advanced hardware/graphics engines can do with additional texture or lighting.  But with a boost in sharpness alone (more pixels),” the Wii looks great in HD.  Check after the break (click “…more”) to see more Super Mario Galaxy images in HD.  Here’s to the rumors of a WiiHD console coming to fruition sooner than later.

[Quote via Gizmodo; Images via NeoGaf] Continue reading WiiHD…where are you?

Conan responds to Mushroom Kingdom backdrop!

Conan hilariously responds to the blogger from “Serious Lunch” about his monologue backdrop having an uncanny resemblance to the Super Mario Bros. Mushroom Kingdom.  Although Conan does not formally say if it was intentional or not, I hold strongly to my opinion that Conan and crew are big Nintendo fans at heart.

P.S.–When announcer Andy Richter says “…my wife sent me a link to this from another site,” he is talking about this website!  : )

[Image via Dlisted]

Project Natal is so good, even Johnny Chung Lee backs it

Johnny Chung Lee is a Microsoft researcher and a recent graduate at Carnegie Mellon University with a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction.  He is an insanely smart individual who has influenced the creation, manipulation, and eventual final product of Microsoft’s Project Natal for Xbox 360.  He recently said:

“The human tracking algorithms that the teams have developed are well ahead of the state of the art in computer vision in this domain. The sophistication and performance of the algorithms rival or exceed anything that I’ve seen in academic research, never mind a consumer product. At times, working on this project has felt like a miniature “Manhattan project” with developers and researchers from around the world coming together to make this happen.”

To quote Gizmodo‘s Mark Wilson, “That quote’s more than just hype—it’s educated hype.”  Back in 2007, Lee created a headtracking simulation with the Wiimote, creating an stunning 3D realm into a different realm (in this case, for video games).  The video above is Lee’s creation with a commentary that explains his genious work.  The point of all this…Microsoft has managed to employ Lee to help the company create and complete Project Natal, a technology that may forever change the way developers and consumers create and play video games.  Exciting stuff.  Check after the break for two additional videos of Lee’s past creations, “tracking fingers with the Wii-remote,” and “low-cost multi-point interactive whiteboard using the Wii-remote.”  Interesting how Microsoft and not some other company whose console relies on motion controls happened to employ such a marvel in innovation.

Continue reading Project Natal is so good, even Johnny Chung Lee backs it

E3 2009 Round-up: Microsoft Takes the Prize

Project Natal

The Big Three–Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo–showed off their present and future technologies in the video game and entertainment businesses at this year’s bigger and badder Electronics Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, California.

In my opinion, Microsoft stole the show with a brilliant keynote presentation that showed off a great line-up of games including tons of first-party (Halo 3: ODST, Halo Reach) and third party (Splinter Cell Conviction, Alan Wake) sure-fire hits.  The special presentation by Harmonix with The Beatles: Rock Band definitely has people excited about the next game in the Rock Band series.  Xbox’s exclusive song, “All You Need is Love” will surely get people to buy the game for the Xbox over the other consoles.  Xbox 360-exclusive games worth mentioning include Forza Motorsport 3, Crackdown 2, Left 4 Dead 2, and Shadow Complex.  The Xbox 360 plans on stealing Sony’s thunder with legendary PlayStation-exclusives games such as  Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid: Rising coming to the Xbox 360 this fall.  Tony Hawk: Ride and Modern Warfare 2 also made exciting appearances.

As great as the Xbox 360 game line-up looks, it was the unveiling of Project Natal that made everyone’s jaws drop with amazement.  Natal is Microsoft’s way of making YOU the controller.  No Wii-motes, nunchucks, or wands.  Natal is a device, similar-looking to the Wii Sensor bar.  It sits below or above your TV set.  It contains a camera, IR sensors, and a built-in microphone.  With facial and voice recognition, the technology built into it is extremely advanced.  Simply put, Natal can pick up and output your every movement from your head to your feet.  It has full-body motion control.  Here’s an example of Natal in natural action.  You walk in front of your TV, your Xbox 360 recognizes who you are, automattically signs you into your Xbox Live account, and bring you to the New Xbox Experience home screen.  You can use hand gestures to play a game, watch a movie, and so on.  You decide to play a racing game with some of your family members.  Your hands control the steering wheel, your feet the pedals.  Take a quick pit stop, and your dad can jump in the action and replace your tired wheels by unscrewing and placing in new tires.  Then it is back to the races.  Natal opens up a whole new world of interactive gaming.  It truly has me excited about the future of video games, especially the Xbox 360.  There is no price point and release date for the code-named Project Natal.  However, it has been said that it will definitely not be out this year (possibily in 2010), and the price will be under the cost of the console itself (under $250).

Check after the break for videos of Natal in action, as well as quick overviews from the Sony and Nintendo (not nearly as impressive) keynotes.

Continue reading E3 2009 Round-up: Microsoft Takes the Prize