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Not too much time to post just now, on account of “real” work, so I’ll make this quick. I got a new computer recently. It’s not great, but it’s lightyears ahead of my six-year-old laptop. As such I’ve been downloading plenty of games that my old hunk-O-junk could never run. To my great dissatisfaction, the F.E.A.R. demo does not run well, even on the lowest possible setting. Oh, well.

Which led me to the only other benchmark I could think of: “Well, can it play World of Warcraft?” Now, mind you, I don’t particularly want to play WoW, but it serves as a valid test of my computer’s ability to play a game that is fun. I am somewhat suspect of my ability to stop playing once I’ve started. However, I think that base is covered by my limited trial period. It’s my hope that I won’t be addicted enough to start paying for it.

Which reminds me, anybody know any decent—and free—MMOs I could try?

I saw a story on Joystiq about some blurry next gen Golden Axe screen shots and decided to do a little sleuthing. Turns out SEGA released two screens during E3, rendering these blurry shots somewhat moot. I guess it’s not gameplay but they look very nice. See one more after the break.

Continue reading “Two Golden Axe Screens”

Well, I just typed a very long and beautifully written impression of Rockstar’s Table Tennis. And then it got zapped. So it’s gone for good and I’m pretty damned pissed.

Suffice it to say that Table Tennis represents a pure form of gaming. It’s delicious and delectable and whatever other food related adjective you’d like to throw at it. I’d suggest you go rent it as soon as possible.

In a bit of damage control during Major Nelson’s latest podcast blogcast, Peter Moore stated that his previous comments on backwards compatibility were taken out of context. Apparently the comments came in answer to a question about Microsoft’s original—and admittedly vague—back compat plans. I.e. Microsoft went from having nebulous plans at E3 ’05 to having quite a few back compat titles. See? Sounds better that way, doesn’t it? At any rate, more than twenty new titles are being added to the back compat list, including Doom III and the lovable Lego Star Wars.

According to Xboxic, the podcast…er…blogcast also has some of the Moore-man’s thoughts on E3 and Wii. I’d listen to it myself, but it is forbidden by the evil office web filter. Man, I’ve got to get an iPod so I can listen to all these podcasts. Wait, blogcasts. Damn it.

 

This has been out for a while and I’m actually surprised there hasn’t been more coverage of it. This PSU trailer shows off the online aspect of the game. I’ve talked to some people that saw the game at E3, and it looks like the single player is going to fall short of its lofty promises. That’s unfortunate, but I doubt anyone will cry about it for long when they start playing online. In short, the online aspects of PSU look more robust in every way. The player hubs—entire cities now, not just a lobby—look very cool. There’s also some trading going on. The combat also looks much more dynamic, and the addition of two more players just makes everything look much grander. But, you can see all that for yourself. Find the video after the break.

Continue reading “Phantasy Star Universe Trailer”

This isn’t exactly news, but yesterday marks the first Thursday since its inception that Smash Bros. Dojo wasn’t updated with any new information. Thus, Sense am cry.

Have you ever bolted upright in the middle of the night, yanked from a deep sleep, covered in sweat, and wondered why effeminate fairy wannabe Tingle doesn’t have his own game? Well, rest easy friend because it’s finally happening.

That’s right, Tingle will soon be starring in his own DS adventure entitled—I kid you not—Fresh Tingle’s Rose Coloured Rupee Land. Granted, that’s translated from the Japanese title and it will surely change for other territories, but come on!

Clearly, somebody over at Nintendo thinks that Tingle is pure gold. It’s my personal opinion that Twilight Princess will be the last Zelda game starring Link. All future iterations will star Tingle, who will ride around Hyrule on a giant ladybug searching for missing kittens.

Hell, SEGA has successfully diluted and ruined the Sonic franchise, it only makes sense that Nintendo would follow suit with Zelda, right?

Read more at Eurogamer, if you dare.

Eurogamer recently scored a trailer of SEGA’s upcoming Virtua Tennis 3—subtitled SEGA Professional Tennis. The music kind of sounds like a business training video, which is wierd. Also, the characters looks a little bit animatronic to me. Still the game itself looks pretty fun and it has a great history. I’m looking forward to it. Check out the trailer here.

—via Xboxic

Reports are flying across the internet that Best Buy is now taking pre-orders for Wii games. A quick search for Wii on Best Buy’s website confirms it. Feel free to spend your real money on nonexistent copies of Red Steel, Super Mario Galaxy, or Super Smash Brothers Brawl. Interestingly, all three games have a ship date of 12/1/06, even though SSBB has been announced as a 2007 title. Silly Best Buy.

 —via Kotaku (you should read it, it’s funny)

According to GamesIndustry.biz, Nintendo is preparing to ramp up production of it’s phenomenally successful DS Lite. The company plans to raise production to 2 million units a month, up from the previous rate of 1.6 million.

As Kotaku points out, Japan snaps up 400,000 Lites a month already, leaving 1.6 for the rest of us. That’s 1.6 million for all of North America and Europe. I’d have to agree with GI.biz that even 2 million may fall short of demand.

I hope you’re not waiting for Christmas to get yours, because you may be out of luck.