Looks like Toys R Us will be taking a few more Nintendo Wii pre-orders at their retail outlets - at least that's the word coming from the folks at Kotaku who have managed to get their hands on tomorrows retail flyer a day early. However, word in their comments section says that the stores are denying it when people call to confirm, so if you do go out there to give it a shot, please be ready for the possibility of failure. Check out the Kotaku posting here for more details - and good luck.

Posted by nylatenite at 5:53 PM EST

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Okay gang, take this one with a really big grain of salt, but while reading the December 2006 issue of EGM, I came across this little blurb rumor regarding Metal Gear Solid 4 on page 51;

"Fanboys always have their favorites, and most Sony lovers are proud to brag about the PS3 snagging the exclusive rights to Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Unless it comes out on the 360, that is. Yes, as crazy as it may sound, I hear Konami is forcing the game's head honcho, Hideo Kojima, to port Metal Gear Solid 4 over to the 360." - Electronic Gaming Monthly, Dec 2006 issue, page 51

I don't think I need to tell you just how big of a blow to the PlayStation 3 this would be if it turns out to be true. Personally, I'll believe it when I see it.

 UPDATE: 11/11/06 3:57pm - I'm noticing a spike in bandwidth usage at the moment, so if it's in reference to this story, I feel the need to again state this is a RUMOR and was presented in EGM not as news, but in their rumors section.

Posted by nylatenite at 12:21 PM EST

Updated: Saturday, 11 November 2006 4:00 PM EST

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Capcom has announced that they will be releasing a multiplayer demo of Lost Planet: Extreme Condition via the Xbox Live Marketplace on November 23rd and yes, they are aware that's Thanksgiving here in the United States. According to Gamespot, the demo will allow up to 16 players to do battle on one map with multiple weapons, vehicles and four different game types.

"Gamers who grabbed Gears of War this week might have noticed a promotional insert in the package that mentioned a new downloadable multiplayer demo of Capcom's Lost Planet: Extreme Condition. However, Capcom representatives wouldn't talk when asked about how soon that demo would hit the Xbox Live Marketplace.

The publisher finally answered that question today with the announcement that the Lost Planet multiplayer demo would be available to download on November 23, Thanksgiving Day in the US. The demo will allow up to 16 players to play on a single map with multiple weapons, robotic combat suits, and four game types." - Gamespot

Who needs turkey when you've got ice cold combat action anyway, right?

Posted by nylatenite at 12:20 PM EST

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Blizzard has announced that World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade will be released on January 16th in North America. The highly anticipated first expansion to Blizzard's massive hit promises to greatly expand the world of Azeroth and hopefully breathe some life into a game many feel is beginning to get a little stale;

"In World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, players will be able to advance their characters up to level 70, unlocking a world of power and possibilities along the way. Additional features coming in The Burning Crusade include two new playable races (the Blood Elves and the Draenei), flying mounts, new talents and abilities for all character classes, the new jewelcrafting profession, new magical weapons and armor, and many enhancements to player-vs.-player action. The expansion will also lead veteran players through the fabled Dark Portal and into Outland, former homeworld of the Orcs and site of a series of cataclysmic events that helped shape the history of the Warcraft® universe. In this shattered world, players will encounter new challenges and dangers in the form of new outdoor zones, quests, dungeons, never-before-seen monsters, and much more. Over the course of their new adventures in The Burning Crusade, players will grow in experience and power as they uncover the rich lore and mysteries of Outland and do battle with the demonic forces of The Burning Legion." - Blizzard Entertainment

Blizzard also took the opportunity to announce that they've broken the 7.5 million subscriber mark. Daaaaaaamn that's a lot of money. To read about on all this and more, check out Blizzard's latest Burning Crusade press release at this link.

Posted by nylatenite at 2:05 AM EST

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Just a quick note here - at about 9:30pm EST tonight, I checked Gamestop's website to see how they were doing on those ridiculously overpriced Wii bundle preorders and discovered that they've already sold out of them - I guess the saying is true, there really is a sucker born every minute. I don't mean to sound rude, but based on Nintendo's shipping forecasts, I really don't foresee someone needing to buy a bunch of overpriced stuff that they won't use in order to get their hands on a Wii. It almost makes you shudder when you think of what they're going to ask gamers to buy in order to get a PlayStation 3, doesn't it?

Posted by nylatenite at 2:03 AM EST

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In the last few days several PlayStation 3 launch titles have either been cancelled or pushed back. Now when I first saw the PS3 launch list, I already felt that it was a bit light, but if this keeps up, it's going to just be pathetic. Here's the latest from around the old internet water cooler.

• Sonic the Hedgehog has been pushed back a few weeks (Kotaku)
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has been delayed until 2007 (Kotaku, Gamespot, Elder Scrolls Official Forums)
• Electronic Arts has cancelled NBA Live '07 (Gamespot, Kotaku)
• F.E.A.R. is rumored to be delayed until 2007. (Gamespot)

It just seems to be one misstep after another for Sony and the PlayStation 3. With all the reports of the lack of support Sony was giving developers, it's not really surprising to see a lot of the launch games miss the 17th, but I do have to wonder if the fact that Sony's own NBA '07 had something to do with the cancellation of NBA Live '07.

Posted by nylatenite at 2:01 AM EST

Updated: Friday, 10 November 2006 2:13 AM EST

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MAME32, the Windows GUI version of MAME, has also been updated to incorporate the u1 changes listed below. As with the regular version of MAME, MAME32 110.1 centers around fixes to the debugger, so you may want to hold off on upgrading until the next full release - just to be on the safe side.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

Posted by nylatenite at 2:00 AM EST

Updated: Friday, 10 November 2006 2:02 AM EST

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The first interim update for MAME v.110 is now available. MAME v.110u1 includes a LOT of changes that the dev team didn't want to put into v.110 proper until they were fully tested. According to the change log, there have been updates to the menu system, the cheat system, artwork layouts, screenshot names and more - in other words, your safest bet is to stick with version .110 for now unless you're the type of person who likes testing the updates.

The updated files can be found at the official MAME page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see what's new in this update.

Posted by nylatenite at 1:56 AM EST

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Gamestop has announced they will open online preorders for the Nintendo Wii sometime this evening, and that the console will only be available online be in a $694.88 (+tax and shipping) bundle.

Now then, due to shortages, I understood the bundle for the Xbox 360 and I understand the sure to be coming bundles on the PlayStation 3, but based on the number of units Nintendo plans on shipping, I've got to say this one sounds a bit stupid. I'm sorry, but when the odds are good that you'll be able to walk into some stores on launch day or shortly thereafter and purchase a console with no preorder, forcing people to buy a ton of crap they don't need just seems like a bad business move. Here's what's going to be included in the bundle;

• Nintendo Wii - $249.99
  
• Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - $49.99
  
• Trauma Center: Second Opinion - $49.99
  
• Red Steel - $49.99
  
• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - $49.99
  
• Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz - $49.99
  
• Madden NFL 2007 - $49.99
  
• Extra Wiimote - $39.99
  
• 1 gig Wii SD memory card - $59.99 (geez, talk about profiteering.. I buy 60x 1 gig SD cards for like $25)
• Subscription to Game Informer - $19.98
  
• 12 month product replacement plan - $24.98

Further compounding stupidity is that according to Gamespot, Gamestop has also announced that the online store has completely filled their allotment of solo Twilight Princess orders and will no longer be taking orders for the game. This of course means that those who haven't preordered the game yet will possibly be more inclined to purchase the aforementioned bundle as it may be the only way to still reserve a copy of the title.

"...the bundle's inclusion of Twilight Princess could be an irresistible draw for those who have not yet preordered the game. According to a GameStop.com rep, the online store has "sold out of their allocation of Twilight Princess," and is no longer selling it a la carte. The rep could only speak for GameStop.com and EBgames.com, and said that gamers should contact their local retail GameStop and EB outlets to see if they had any preorder allocations of Twilight Princess remaining." - Gamespot

Check out the Gamespot article here for more details on the Zelda situation and those interested in being played for a sucker by Gamestop can click here to go to the Wii preorder page.

Posted by nylatenite at 12:53 AM EST

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According to IGN, Konami has announced that Elebits will miss the November 19th Wii launch and instead hit retail on either December 12th or the 18th. From what I can gather from the article, it would appear that Konami either wanted to make some changes to the game or that it failed Nintendo's quality assurance tests.

"Although Konami previously announced that it intended to launch its quirky and innovative new Wii title Elebits with the debut of Nintendo's new system, it looks like the game will be delayed by a few weeks. According to a spokesperson for the company, the title will now ship during either the week of December 12 or December 18 depending on whether or not Nintendo approves its latest build submission. The title is more or less complete, but it cannot go into manufacturing until it is evaluated and approved by the ever-watchful quality detectives at Nintendo of America" - IGN.com

Based on my experiences with the game at Digital Life, it certainly doesn't surprise me that there may be some issues with the title, but I can't say for sure that it's why the game has been pushed back. Those of you who planned on picking up Elebits on launch day, please adjust your plans accordingly. For more information. be sure to check out the referenced article here at IGN

Posted by nylatenite at 12:51 AM EST

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