Word on the street is that Sony plans to release a PSP with NAND flash. Reports have said it could be as much as 8 GB of NAND flash in the PSP. There's iPods smaller than that available already so it is possible. How cool would that be?

And with it's music playing capabilities it could take some of the consumers away from apple. Not a true iPod killer but an iPod weakener I'd say.

Sony has stated that it would choose to use a microdrive instead but the NAND flash but word is that Sony's just saying that to negotiate better prices from Samsung.

Guess we'll find out soon!

-iamsiam

portable gaming

Revolution Report is telling us that game developers for the new Nintendo console have gone through at least 3 development kits. Each has been improved on the last and there will be at least one more coming to them.

The developer kits for the Rev are about 1/10 the cost of the PS2 SDK and about 1/2 what the PS SDK was. Way to go Nintendo!

With each successive SDK Developers have noticed changes in both power and memory but very similar to the Gamecube. In fact, the first SDK was a GameCube console with a wired Revolution controller attached.

The best part of all this? Most studios working on Revolution titles think the console could retail under $200 US, possibly as low as $150.

So I'm not a big fan of portable's. Even though I do occasionally write about them at Portable Gaming World (You should check it out, by the way. They do a great job of reporting on portable news).

So when I brought you news of a Lite in pieces I was pretty happy with myself. But that was until I stumbled across my latest find.

So, to answer the question fo the title - What's better than a DS Lite in pieces? A Video showing how to do it!

That's right, theres a video (which you can find here on YouTube) that is 13 minutes long and shows how to disassemble a Nintendo DS.

Pretty cool hey? :)

So i came across this site the other day and thought I should share it.

Mostly because everyone and his dog probably has an old NES in their closet. Or, it's at home in your parents closet while you're away at work/school/hitchhiking across the country.

Anyways, if you wanna make it useful, I thought this would be kinda neat - turn your NES into an alarm clock.

Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America sales and marketing VP, recently told Spike TV that the DS Lite will completely replace the current DS this fall.

That's right - if you have a DS prepare for it becoming obsolete as it is replaced by the slimmer, smaller lite version.

According to this post Fils-Aime "confirmed that the current DS model will be phased out sometime between August and September, to be replaced exclusively by the DS Lite."

NTHaxor

Tags: portable gaming:Nintendo:DS

Apparently some NES cartridges contain a removable/reusable adapter that lets you take the inside parts of a Famicom game and place it inside an NES cartridge and play it on any American NES console. A step-by-step guide is provided, along with useful tips for telling whether cartridges you find at garage sales and flea markets contain the Famicom adapter.

The complete breakdown can be found here.

So now that we have gotten the site going it's time to introduce our Question of the Week. This is a regular featurre that I do on all my Blogs. This weeks QOTW is PSP vs. Ipod.: Which one would you use?

Let's assume something happened to your PSP and it can't play games anymore. Would you still use it as your primary way to listen to music, play movies and do other multimedia? But let's also say you had a 60GB Ipod Video at your disposal. Which one would you use the most? And Why? The PSP's interface vs. Apple's Interface? Stroage vs. Screen Size...you make the call!

Tags: ipod:portable gaming:sony psp:apple

Sony in cooperation with Square Enix, will be presenting a premium limited edition PS2 package available March 16. It’s the latest model of the PS2 with the emblem of Judge Master on the body and a copy of Final Fantasy XII. It includes an analog controller, an AV cable, an AC adapter, a vertical stand, and a specially designed mobile phone strap. No price yet however but if you are a FF fan, you might wanna check it out. Here's a picture:

For more information, you can visit this translated page or the original press release.

According to this post at Kotaku Sony has confirmed that the PS3 will come with Blu-Ray because of a question posed in a recent survey of games by Sony. There is a question in the survey which reads: "The PlayStation®3 will include BluRay™, the high definition DVD technology, and support games in resolutions of up to 1080p, (the highest supported standard on the market.) Given that information, please choose the statement below that best describes you."

I finally got my PSP last week and in my excitement, I decided to take pictures of the event. I know it's been out for a while but I already used my major purchase on the ipod with video so I had to wait. And boy was it worth the wait!

Opening the package, I came upon the extra stuff. The earphones, remote, case, and instruction manual. Moving those aside I got to the "good stuff"! The new love of my life. :)

Taking it out I looked at it and held it in the palm of my hand. It fit great! Sony designed a great handheld game. With the slight curves on the back side of the console, it felt like you'd be able to hold it for hours of gaming. Great thinking on Sony's part! And the shiny black front with the big screen just entices you to pick it up and play it. You'll never want to let it go!

Turning on the machine, I was welcomed with the awesome screen. The graphics were awesome! Then, I proceeded to set up my the wifi for internet access. Within 10 minutes, I was up and searching stuff on Google! Some of the pages took a while to load but what do you expect from a machine built for gaming not internet browsing.

The PSP is a great handheld. I definitely suggest you get one. With it's design you'll be able to play for hours without tiring your hands.

I also bought Wipeout for the PSP and I have to say this is an awesome game. If you like racing games, you definitely should give it a try!

The box like a treasure chest waiting to be opened.

The stuff inside.

Surfin the web with Google

Do hear it calling? "Play me"

-iamsiam

portable gaming
Sony PSP

PSPUpdates let us know that there's a new PSP bootloader, codenamed "Brown Ale" which is their final non-bet version of eLoader.

According to the site, the new eLoader wil let 2.60 users "enjoy all the homebrew that 2.0 users have been playing for quite some time."

For a list of what works with the new eLoader check this site out.

NTHaxor

Tags: portable gaming:Hacks:Sony PSP

I'm not one for posting too much portable news but when I see a handheld in pieces I have to smile :)

But in seriousness, someone has taken a DS Lite and disassembled it. You can find tons of screenshots here. And if you want to find out what they are saying about the console, check out the Google translated version of the page.

A warning to those portable gamers who are weak in the stomach (yeah you know who you are) some of these photos are not for the faint of heart. :)

Pictures of the DS Lite have surfaced. Here are some for you to drool to.

"I'm a Luigi! I'm a gonna win!"

Another screenshot.

-iamsiam

Tags: portable gaming:Nintendo:DS

Did you miss the All-Star Weekend? Miss the fantastic dunk that won the dunking contest? Or did you miss Dirk win the 3-Point Shootout?

Well fear not! You can go here to download highlights of the weekend onto your PSP. Enjoy highlights of the game. Watch the dunk that won the contest. Watch Dwayne Wade beat Lebron in the Skills Challenge. Enjoy all this in the palm of your hand!

-iamsiam

Hot on the heels of the announcement of the PS3 HUB, rumors began circulating that the PS3 could be delayed for as long as a year, meaning we wouldn't see it until spring of 2007.

Sony has since refuted those claims, stating that while there are still some bugs to fix, they do plan on debuting it at the E3 in May.

Sony does concede that they are waiting for the final specifications related to both the PS3's Blu-ray drive and for input and output of video and sound but do say that "there is no change in our original plan to release the console in spring 2006."

Don't laugh - it's true that you can use a dialup connection as effectively as wi-fi. Better in some cases.

There's a great tutorial on how to set it up here. If you are one of those unfortunate ones who doesn't have a high speed connection in your house, but do own a DS then this tutorial is for you!

NTHaxor

Tags: portable gaming:Nintendo:DS

We first told you of how Illinois was going to pass a new law allowing officials to fine or even jail sellers and renters of video games who distribute games meant for adults to those under 18.

Well Utah now has taken a similar stance, by lumping violent games and porn into the same category.

the new law, which passed with a 7-2 margin, also makes it illegal to sell or rent games intended for adults to those under 18.

It will be interesting to see how long this bill lasts. I mean, I can kinda understand how they'd want to keep violent and explicit games out of the hands of minors, but to lump them in with porn????

More info can be found here at NextGen

Yes it is true - we finally got our trackbacks and comments working. Feel free to use them again!

Thanks for your patience and be sure to check back often - new changes just around the corner....

Yes it could be true.

According to this article Sony hasn't ruled out a partnership with M$.

While they didn't go into specifics, it appears that the companies may work together to port games to and from their perspective platforms.

This is probably a smart move for both companies as right now the consoles do compete based on the titles available. Since Sony has a bigger cache of titles it can rely on M$ would be getting a sweet deal.

Similarly, Sony could win a coup for those who like PS and want to stay with Sony but like some of M$'s proprietary titles.

In the end it will be us, the consumers, who could win if such a deal goes through.

Ahh two of my favorite things: Xbox and Mythtv

I have Myth running on a PC at home - it's great for hd cable, satellite, whatever TV signal you want to throw at it.

Then you have a Xbox - great gaming console, probably one of the best out there. So what happens when you mash them up?

You get probably the best PVR on the market, that's what.

You can get complete instructions from this website.

Just this week Nintendo has confirmed the DS is the fastest-selling hardware unit in the history of the company. Nintendo has revised the number of units sold it announced at the end of 2005, up from five million to six million. Wow. If you think about it that is really insane. I mean how many Xbox untis or PS2 have been sold so far? Here's a qoute from the article:

CEO Satoru Iwata predicted that sales would reach 10 million by the end of this year adding that there appears to be no let-up in demand. "Our Nintendo DS portable game consoles have hit six mlllion unit sales in just 14 months since the launch in December 2004," Iwata said. "This clearly shows that we have so far been successful in expanding our base of game users, we now aim to sell 10 mlllion units domestically before the end of this year."

- iamlegend

Tags: Nintendo:DS:portable gaming

You may or may not have heard of this already but the DS is getting a new game soon - Super Mario Bros.

1up.com reported about this some time ago but no one seems to know whats up. There hasn't been a lot of mention about the new game...Until now.

That's right - we found exclusive video on Youtube showing a screenshot of the new game reportedly played on a DS.

Tags: portable gaming:ds:nintendo

- NTHaX0r

According to GameBoy-Advance.net you can now get a Rom chip that will help you load a ton of ROMs onto a Mod chip.

If you've wanted to play more than what's available for DS we'd suggest checking out the links above.

Tags: portable gaming:ds:nintendo

- NTHAX0R

So there's a new program out there that helps Mac users stream music from iTunes and Pictures from iPhoto and also streaming radio from Shoutcast.

Simply download and register the connect360 program from this site and your 360 and Mac can work together to turn your home into a multimedia center!

The guys over at Portable Gaming World have a great scoop:

It looks as if the DS will be offering a host of new features.

The post, entitled Nintendo DS to add Web and TV capabilities explains the new features. Rather than requoting all the details, why not click the link and check it out there?

Well looks like the Nintendo DS will be packin some more heat this coming year. At the recent DICE Summit convention held in sin city Las Vegas, Nintendo announced the DS will soon support voice over IP. Real users will be able to chat in real time using the DS's integrated microphone.

But wait! It doesn't stop there. There is also a Nintendo DS Browser set to come out in June for $32. Unfortunately that's in Japan but Nintendo plans to ship them overseas.

The browser, made by Opera Software and uses their PC Internet browser, will be cartridge-based. Browsing will be done on both screens. Navigation is done by using the stylus and an onscreen keypad. The DS's two screens can be used to show a single web page or it can scale down to fit one screen while the other screen is used to zoom in on a portion of the site. Text will be input using the stylus to which features PDA-style handwriting recognition.

And one more thing. The DS will double as a television. Titled the DS digital-broadcast receiver card, the new accessory will snap into the handheld's DS cartridge slot and feature an extendable antenna. Remember Sega's Game Gear and the TV receiver it had back in the day? Same thing. The TV screen will be on the upper screen while the lower screen will have buttons that can switch channels.

There seems to be new games coming out in the following year for the Nintendo DS as well. Look for Super Mario Brothers as well as Pokemon to debut new titles.

So it looks like 2006 will be a busy year for the Nintendo DS. I wonder what Sony will answer with. Hmmmm...

Translation: "DS digital-broadcast receiver card"

Receiver card in action. Also could double as sword when really bored.

At least you won't have to worry about losing the remote.

- iamsiam

Tags: portable gaming:ds:nintendo

According to Gizmodo we should soon start seeing 360's hit store shelves. At least that's the theory.

There was a time that we thought 360 shortages were a marketing ploy that M$ used to build the buzz around the console - make it more desired by those who couldn't get it. It wouldn't have surprised me if that was the case.

Then we found out that they couldn't fill the demand. What??? How do you under-anticipate demand of the "next great" gaming console?? You know you have to product consoles for not only the US but non-American markets as well. I'm sure they have some idea, based on how well the Xbox did. But apparently they didn't.

Now comes word that "it's not our fault" according to M$. They are now saying that chip maker Infineon is responsible for the console shortage.

Gimme a break - it's M$ who can't fill demand. They are the ones that underestimated supply and had to hastily put up manufacturing plants to keep up. You can't blame one chip maker on that.

No really. Looks like Gizmondo is really heading down the tubes. Does anyone own one of these? I mean I see a Nokia N-Gauge every once in a blue moon, and once I stop laughing at that person, I am ususally amazed to actually see it in the wild. Anyway according to this article from Next Gen, European Gizmondo has filed to be placed in Administration. This is like the European version of bankruptcy. American Gizmondo can't be far behind....

- iamlegend

TAGS: portable gaming:gizmondo:death

This has been around a while but I thought I'd share it.

If you have this console laying around and aren't sure what to do with it, why not port it to linux?

Complete instructions for building your own Linux Kernel for Gamecube can be found here.

Once you have this done, why not check out their home page for other cool ideas?

First, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day! Now onto more important stuff!

The surprise hit of 2005, Star Wars Legos, will have a sequel! Yep! LucasArt has just comfirmed recent rumors that they will publish the sequel to the dark-horse hit. Now you can relive all the great moments of the original trilogy! Play as Luke and fight Darth Vader or as Hans Solo and rescue the princess.

The sequel will also let you control any vehicle and animal you want at willl. In addition, they've added a Free Play mode which enables you to create playable characters from the parts of existing characters. You'll also be able to unlock more characters with saved games from the first game. For those who think this game was too easy they've added an advanced mode to make it more challenging.

The game will be available on most consoles, but more importantly it will be available on the PSP, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS.

"Use the force Luke"

"What R2? You have a Valentines Day card from Han Solo?"

According to various analysts, console game software sales were down about 5% and the blame lies squarly on Microsoft and the 360.

Analyst Wedbush Morgan Securities says "We consider this to be a problem. Should Microsoft continue to sell only 300,000 Xbox 360 hardware units, we think it is possible (even likely) that software attach rates during the spring and summer months will be around 3 units per box, meaning that Xbox 360 software sales will only contribute $50 – 60 million per month. At the same time, we expect current generation software sales to continue to trend at a -30% rate, down around $100 million per month for each of the next several months."

Part of the problem is that even tho M$ ramped up production of the consoles, many of those new units will be going elsewhere to help launch the console in other markets. Therefore only a percentage of all new consoles made will stay in the US.

As such, these analysts expect that the console gaming market won't recover until late in the year.

Saw this neat little story over on Boing Boing a while back. Looks like someone has gotten Quake II up and running on the PSP. Pretty damn nice if you ask me. Of course if you play any new games (As most of you know) the PSP's firmware get's upgraded and it will lock out any new Homebrew software you have installed. Even if it's perfectly legal like Quake II. Check out the PSP Download of Quake II here and enjoy......while you can.

You may have heard this already but if not here you go:

According to many sites including this one there will be an assortment of Dreamcast games made available to Xbox 360 Live Arcade users.

For about $10 each you could play some of the DC's top titles including Soul Calibur, Crazy Taxi, Sonic and more.

So I read this article on Business Week (yes I do read "legitimate" news sources as well) and it talks about how Sony may be trying to cram too much into the eagerly anticipated PS3. But I gotta say that's just malarky.

Sony is just doing what it needs to do to fend off the likes of the Xbox which also plans to turn your gaming console into the entertainment hub of your home.

You see, these console makers realized a few years ago that a centralized, web enabled hub is going to be the next big thing in home entertainment. Therefore they all decided (on their own) that they wanted their hardware to be that hub.

When Xbox started that was it's dream - to evolve from a console game to an entertainment medium where the kids could play games, dad could download news headlines and mom could use it like a PVR to store and watch her favorite shows.

So will the PS be too much for the average home? Initially yes, but wait a year or two and then ask the question is it still too much?

What do you think?? Why not sound off in the comments??

That's right. Check these beautiful things out. These are exclusive photos from Nintendo's Annual Report for 2006. Those are some pretty sweet photo's don't you think? People are speculating that those are the back's of the new Nintendo's Revolution. Not sure on the colors but pretty damn cool......Check out the CD-ROM cover as well

Continue reading »

Ok Maybe not exclusive to us, but they are pretty new and have already appeared on a forum.

The pictures posted on this forum clearly show the new controller as well as some color coded faceplates.

The text from the book where the images came from is all in Japanese but there is a bit of English - "The Nintendor Difference - 2006" is found on a page somewhere.

Looks to me like the Rev will have the rumored wireless controller which may actually respond to your movements, as we previously reported to you.

Overall I'm pretty impressed - not so sure about the lime green or fire engine red faceplates though ;)