Gamertell

Following recent speculation that Nintendo is currently working on a high definition Wii for release “by 2009,” Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter has expressed his support for the idea, revealing that he is “absolutely convinced” a “Wii HD” is in the works.

Pachter explained in a recent AFP news article article that he believes it is essential for Nintendo to overcome the Wii’s lacking hardware if the company truly wishes to fulfil its promise of a console for everybody, including core gamers — many of whom have been disappointed with the company’s…

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Title: Don Bluth Presents Space Ace
Price: $39.95
System(s): Blu-ray Disc player (eg. PS3)
Release Date: April 8, 2008
Publisher (Developer): Digital Leisure, Inc. (Bluth Group, Ltd.)
No. Players: 1
ESRB Rating: N/A
Pros: Amazingly clear and beautifully restored video, interesting interviews and the ability to watch the entire game as a short (although a bit spastic) film.
Cons: The game remains impossibly difficult to play and extras are a bit meager for the retail price.
Rating(s): One thumb up, one down; 75/100; C; **1/2 out of 5.

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Microsoft is gearing up to provide Xbox Live users around the globe with this year’s Game Developers Conference (GDC) coverage. Live users can stay abreast with the latest Xbox 360 related news, including the keynote by Xbox Live boss, John Schappert, from the comforts of their home – or wherever their 360 might be - as Microsoft will feed them with free downloadable high-definition footage, screenshots and demos.

Microsoft has sought to use Xbox Live as its promotional mouthpiece and the “Bringing it Home Campaign” during E3 2006 was the…

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When Reuterspublished its article, “Microsoft’s Xbox could consider Blu-ray support,“ on January 8, 2008, rumors began spreading about the upcoming possibilities the Blu-Ray technology could bring to the Xbox 360.

According to GameDaily, Microsoft Marketing Manager Albert Penello said Reuters had mistaken what Penello told them and came to their own conclusions. In fact, he told Gizmodo that Microsoft never even considered supporting Blu-ray for the XBox system.

“It should be consumer choice; and if that’s the way they vote, that’s something we’ll have to consider,“ Penello told Reuters.

Currently, the Xbox 360 system supports standard definition and high definition video output and supports games with 16:9 widescreen, anti-aliasing, and high-definition video (720p minimum.)

Although this rumor has been smashed to pieces, there are those on the internet clinging to the idea that some day Microsoft will consider supporting Blu-ray. For now, its only a rumor.

Read [GameDaily] Read [Reuters] Read [Gizmodo] Site [XBox360]

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When the 7th generation console war first began, many gamers spent sleepless nights over making the costly transition to the next-gen consoles. It was not only the actual price of the consoles, but the price of accessories deemed vital for the truest next-gen gaming experience, which played heavily on gamers’ minds . One of the most important things for a true next-gen gaming experience is an HDTV, sales of which were only beginning to pick-up at the beginning of the 7th gen of consoles. A couple of years since, it is interesting to note which console owners are big on HDTV’s and high-end setups.

A Nielsen study titled THX Gaming Study has concluded that PS3 owners have adopted HD displays the fastest, with 71% of them owning an HDTV. Around 54% of the PS3 owners also enjoy their games with surround sound. Xbox 360 users come in next with 66% of them possessing an HDTV. But the Wii owners are hot on the heels of their 360-owning counterparts with 65% having an HD display. As for surround sound, the numbers for the Xbox 360 and Wii are 48% and 43% respectively.

That PS3 owners are more HD-friendly hasn’t surprised me one bit, but the fact that the Wii and Xbox 360 numbers were so close has.

Read [Gizmodo]

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1UP confirmed today (June 25, 2007) that futuristic racer Wipeout HD will be coming to the PS3 as a Playstation Network title this year, with an official announcement and more details expected by August 2007.

It should come as no surprise is that HD won’t be a major new release but rather a stepping-stone to a truly next-gen Wipeout title, slated to arrive sometime in 2008. The game will support an online multiplayer mode and, possibly, a number of HD-enabled tracks from the upcoming Wipeout Pulse game on the PSP (currently a September 2007 release).

This isn’t the first popular Playstation series to get…

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AP’s LA bureau reported that Blockbuster announced on Monday (June 18, 2007) it will offer primarily Blu-Ray HD for it’s DVD inventory.

Blockbuster had been renting with both HD DVD and Blue-Ray HD DVDs in select store, with 70% of customers choosing Blu-Ray movies.

Blockbuster is still being cautious, allowing the 250 stores and web site will continue to offer…

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According to Microsoft’s press release, Xbox Live service has “...7,000 pieces of gaming and entertainment content and counting” with content currently provided by 15 entertainment partners including MTV, Comedy Central and VH1 (which all happen to be owned by Viacom).

Xbox Live is a download service available to Xbox and Xbox 360 game system owners. While some downloads are free, may require Microsoft Points which can be purchase in retail stores, online or through the Xbox Live service at a rate of US$1.25 per 100 points. The Xbox Live service on the original Xbox console requires an annual subscription while the Xbox 360 does not. The Silver Level is free while the Gold level requires a membership fee (in addition to microtransaction fees).

Here are a few of the announcements from Microsoft concerning TV and movie updates on Xbox Live for June 2007:

Country Music Television - On June 6, 2007, country music fans will be able to TV shows from CMT including first seasons shows “Comedy Stage,“ “Foxworthy’s Big Night Out” and “Prankville.“ More series and episodes rolling out this summer.

Logo - On June 11, 2007, Xbox 360 will become the first gaming console to offer content from Logo, the network for the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender audience from MTV Networks. Xbox LIVE will offer Logo shows including “Wisecrack,“ “The Big Gay Sketch Show,“ “Noah’s Arc,“ “Curl Girls” and “Real Momentum Documentaries.“

FUNimation - Beginning June 12, 2007, the epic adventure series “Samurai 7,“ adapted from Akira Kurosawa’s legendry film “Seven Samurai,“ is coming to Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Also coming from FUNimation: “Trinity Blood,“ “Gunslinger Girl,“ and “Basilisk.“

Geneon Entertainment - On June 12, 2007, Die-hard fans and those new to the genre alike will enjoy the U.S. HD debut of the anime classic “Akira,“ available exclusively from Geneon on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Also available from Geneon Entertainment at launch: “Gun Sword,“ “Last Exile,“ “Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo” and “Lupin the 3rd.“

A few new films coming to Xbox Live in June 2007 include:

• Team America World Police (HD)
• Dreamgirls
• Letters from Iwo Jima
• Shooter
• Black Snake Moan
• Pan’s Labyrinth

(Descriptions from Microsoft’s press release)

Though I’m not quire certain about 7000 individual items available for download (though if you count individual weapons, maps and pairs of socks for every game, it might be possible) Xbox Live does still offer the best download service of the 3 newest gen consoles. The others may catch up in terms of volume any time soon, but do offer their own brands of quality.

Site [Xbox Live Marketplace]

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Added to the Playstation Store this week, available for download through the PS3:

MLB 07 Show Turorials (Free) - Three videos. The best-selling baseball franchise is back! This season we’re proud to introduce a slew of new features including: Road To The Show, Adaptive Pitching Intelligence, Online League Play, Real Time Roster Updates and unique Umpire Personalities. MLB 07 The Show.

Added to the Playstation Store this week, available for download through the PS3:

Joust ($4.99) - The arcade legend makes way to the PS3 via the Playstation Store. available for only $4.99, this button mashing classic will have you hopping, flapping and bouncing off other flying ostriches (or whatever giant foul they might be).

Three free downloads, including:

Gran Turismo HD Concept v1.2 free downloadable driving game with HD graphics. This is an update of previous download with a new Drift Trial mode.

A game trailer for Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, an adventure game coming for the PS3. Release date was not listed - likely late 2007 - but the game will be developed by Naughty Dog. The trailer is available in both SD (standard definition) and 720p HD.

A game trailer for racing game Championship Sprint. The trailer is available in SD and 720p and 1080p HD. The game’s release date is not listed - late 2007 - but it will naturally be available for PS3. It’s being released by SOE (Sony Online Entertainment) and Midway.

Site [Playstation Store]

• Sprint’s Cyber Monday deals: free Centro and 5 others
• Walmart’s Cyber Monday 2008 video game deals
• Gadgetell Video Review: Kodak Zi6 HD camcorder