Tokyo -- Engadget

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Engadget Japan meetup wrap-up and farewell Japan!

by Joshua Fruhlinger posted Oct 15th 2009 at 11:41PM

So there are ways to wrap up trips and there are ways to wrap... up... trips. After four weeks of Engadget souls roaming the trains of Tokyo for TGS and CEATEC, we finally closed things out with a massive reader meetup with Engadget Japan. About 500 rabid (but very friendly) Engadget Japan fans lined up in Roppongi to meet the editors and see some mind-boggling, sometimes hysterical, and always interesting presentations. Thanks to Maywa Denki for his artistic impressions of Engadget readers (and the amazing Otamatone musical...thing). Also big ups to Samo Dengi (composer of music for Tekken), Cerevo, Acer, Microsoft, and Sony. But most of all, thanks to our amazing readers world-round, and thank you Japan! We are humbled, honored, and oh, so tired. See you next year! Rainen mata oaishimashooo! Video of the event after the break (taken on a 3G Android device, btw!).

Gallery: Engadget Japan meetup 2009

Continue reading Engadget Japan meetup wrap-up and farewell Japan!

Engadget reader meetup in Tokyo!

by Laura June posted Oct 12th 2009 at 6:06PM

If you're in the vicinity of Tokyo, Japan on October 15th, you're going to want to read this. Our compatriots at Engadget Japanese are having a reader meetup! There will be music (with a performance by Mawya Denki as well as Sano Dengi / sanodg of DS-10 fame) and free food, plus you'll get to hang with the way cool editors of our Japanese site. Believe us, you want to attend. There will also be live product demos by Microsoft, Sony, Acer, Sanyo, Nikon and a Q&A with the editors. Did we mention the giveaways? No? Oh yeah, giveaways! Here are the details:

Date: October 15, 2009
Location: Super-Deluxe (map)
Address: B1F 3-1-25 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Time: Doors open at 19:00, event begins at 19:30
The venue holds about 300 peeps so get there early!

Head here for full information.

Video: Project Natal hands-on goes round two with Katamari Damacy, Space Invaders

by Ross Miller posted Sep 28th 2009 at 11:03AM

Several months have passed since our last encounter with Project Natal, Microsoft's controller-free, gesture-based interface. Developer enthusiasm and rumored release dates aside, since that time there hasn't been much in the way of new, concrete details or any title announcements. That didn't stop Kudo Tsunoda and gang from coming to Tokyo Game Show to give the Japanese audience a taste of the title. We managed to get ourselves some more time with the system, which included previous demos Ricochet and Burnout Paradise, along with newcomers Beautiful Katamari and Space Invaders Extreme. This time around, things felt a bit more glitchy than before, with some weird graphical maladies around our virtual wrists and a few occasions where recalibration was required (which is simply accomplished by covering up the sensor with your hand for a couple seconds). Our Engadget Japan correspondent Ittousai couldn't get his hair to detect, but Tsunoda inferred that it was something they were working on as the project continued. Going through the menus, we spotted Lumines among the other games on the console -- Tsunoda wouldn't comment on it, but he did note that adding Natal support isn't something that's likely to be patched into existing titles. Care to take another peek at what you'll look like when Natal eventually comes to your living room? Video demonstration after the break.

Continue reading Video: Project Natal hands-on goes round two with Katamari Damacy, Space Invaders

Video: a brief history of game console teardowns

by Ross Miller posted Sep 25th 2009 at 7:42AM

Granted, none of these are teardowns we haven't already seen ad nauseam, but seeing every Sony and Microsoft console ripped to shreds and placed side-to-side in a series of glass cases is still a sight to behold. Peruse the display yourself, found at Tokyo Game Show and shown courtesy of the Museum of GAME Science, in a video tour after the break.

Continue reading Video: a brief history of game console teardowns

Alienware's redesigned Area-51, Aurora, and updated M15x hands-on

by Ross Miller posted Sep 24th 2009 at 8:17AM

Okay, so it's not quite the invasion that the company touted, but Alienware definitely gave itself a fairly sizable retail space at this week's Tokyo Game Show, on hand to show off its Area-51 / Aurora revised desktops and its upgraded m15x laptop. We think you can already grasp the gist of the lineup from the company's long-standing modus operandi: large, powerful, and covered inside and out with LEDs. Enjoy the sight of six hard drives aligned in a wall by way of the gallery below, and stay tuned after the break to see a very brief demonstration on how those "scales" on top of the desktops work.

Gallery: Core i7-equipped Alienware M15x hands-on

Gallery: Alienware's updated Aurora / Area-51 desktops hands-on

Continue reading Alienware's redesigned Area-51, Aurora, and updated M15x hands-on

TGS 2009 video moment of zen: game chair rocks

by Ross Miller posted Sep 24th 2009 at 7:36AM

What's one way to capture the attention of a jaded tech writer who's seen his fair share of game chairs in life? Simple: put glasses filled with rocks on an active model and watch as onlookers get caught in its hypnotic dance. Video after the break.

Continue reading TGS 2009 video moment of zen: game chair rocks

PSP Go Converter gives you a more well-rounded portable with support for last-gen's peripherals

by Ross Miller posted Sep 24th 2009 at 3:02AM

Honestly, when we first heard the phrase "PSP Go Converter," we were really hoping it something to do with that UMD-to-digital good will program we heard about back at E3 -- but alas, it wasn't meant to be. Instead, the attachment lets you utilize accessories so far only compatible with last-gen PSPs, such as the 1Seg tuner, GPS receiver, and camera -- and if that's not your thing, we're sure it makes the device a tad more aerodynamic, as well. Sony also announced a number of other accessories, including a bluetooth stereo headset. Full press release and pics from the show floor just below.

Gallery: PSP Go Converter gives you a more well-rounded portable with support for last-gen's peripherals

Show full PR text

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES PERIPHERALS FOR PSP® (PLAYSTATION®PORTABLE)GO

Expands the Entertainment World of PSPgo with Attractive Peripheral and Accessory Line-up

Tokyo, September 24, 2009 - Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) announced today that it will release Bluetooth® Stereo Head-set Receiver and Converter Cable Adaptor for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable)go (PSP-N1000) on December 24, 2009, in Japan, at a recommended retail price of 4,980 yen and 1,980 yen (both including tax), respectively. These peripherals will also become available in North America, Europe/PAL territories and Asian countries and regions beginning January 2010*1.

Bluetooth Stereo Head-set Receiver

With a sleek design that matches perfectly with PSPgo, users will be able to enjoy a variety of entertainment content sounds comfortably through the Bluetooth wireless technology with the combination of commercially available head-phone and head-set. The Bluetooth Stereo Head-set Receiver pairs easily with PSPgo by simply holding the power button of the receiver, and operation buttons on the receiver will also enable users to instantly play, stop, pause, forward, rewind, and adjust the volume of music and videos. Additionally, the receiver can be paired with up to eight Bluetooth devices by using the Multi Pairing Feature.

Converter Cable Adaptor

With the new Converter Cable Adaptor*2, PSPgo users will be able to utilize the existing peripherals for PSP such as 1Seg Tuner*3, GPS Receiver and Camera designed for PSP-1000, 2000 and 3000 series on the PSPgo system that adopts Multi use connector.

Additional peripherals and accessories will be released for PSPgo in conjunction with PSPgo launch in Japan to enhance its portability and convenience of users' use, including:

AC Adaptor 2,100 yen (including tax)
USB Cable 1,575 yen (including tax)
AV Cable 2,200 yen (including tax)
D-Terminal AV Cable 2,800 yen (including tax)
Component AV Cable 3,000 yen (including tax)
Cradle 4,800 yen (including tax)
Accessory Pack 6,000 yen (including tax)
Display Protection Film 800 yen (including tax)
Privacy Film 1,000 yen (including tax)
Pouch & Hand Strap (Black/White) 1,000 yen (including tax)/each
PSPgo Pouch (Black/Grey) 1,600 yen (including tax)/each
PSPgo Leather Case & Hand Strap 4,200 yen (including tax)
Car Adaptor 1,980 yen (including tax)

SCE will continue to further expand the PlayStation platforms with these new peripheral and accessory line-up with introducing the new PSP line-up, PSPgo.

13 PS3 motion control games confirmed for next year, motion-enhanced Biohazard 5 coming Spring 2010

by Ross Miller posted Sep 24th 2009 at 1:23AM

Sure, the company's Tokyo Game Show keynote was a bit of a bore, but in a second press conference for Japanese media, Sony did what it could to make up for it by revealing Biohazard 5: Alternative Edition, the first PS3 title we've heard of to support the new motion controllers -- and better still, it's due out Spring 2010. Also confirmed is the existence of 13 first-party titles with motion support coming at some point next year, including Pain, EyePet and Flower. Both Biohazard 5 (known in the US as Resident Evil 5) and a LittleBigPlanet tech demo were shown on stage, and pics from the announcement are being uploaded now, so stay tuned!

Update: Some new details of the LittleBigPlanet motion control demo from our friend Ittousai of Engadget Japan. In the presentation, one player was playing the normal way via DualShock while a second person was "assisting" by means of the motion control.

Gallery: LittleBigPlanet motion control tech demo

250GB PS3 Final Fantasy XIII bundle announced, ships December

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 24th 2009 at 1:08AM

Sony Japan just announced the very first 250GB PS3 bundle. For ¥41,600 (compared to ¥29,980 yen for the standard Japanese PS3), gamers in Japan will receive a limited edition Final Fantasy XIII rig with 250GB disk and Lightning emblazoned across the the body. The PS3 normally ships with a 120GB hard drive but the 250GB version has been rumored ever since the FCC leak. Available for purchase in Japan on 17 December.

Gallery: 250GB PS3 Final Fantasy XIII bundle announced, ships December

PS3 Motion Controller confirmed for next spring, finally ready for its close-ups

by Paul Miller posted Sep 23rd 2009 at 9:55PM

We've heard plenty about Sony's PS3 Motion Controller, but we hadn't actually seen a press shot of it until now. Looks pretty PlayStation-ey, wouldn't you say? Sony has also confirmed that spring 2010 is the launch window (with those rumors of a March date in Japan floating around). It can't come soon enough! At the TGS announcement Kaz Hirai reiterated that the controller will meet the "stringent" requirements of hardcore gamers -- which is always a comfort, no matter how much of that gamer-pleasing will have to come from the actual games themselves. Hit up the read link for Joystiq's live coverage of the Sony keynote from TGS!

Update: Press release!

Gallery: PS3 Motion Controller finally ready for its close-ups

Continue reading PS3 Motion Controller confirmed for next spring, finally ready for its close-ups

Video: Alienware invades TGS: will 'shake the gaming world to its foundation'

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 22nd 2009 at 1:47AM

Alienware's been running a series of teasers hyping an invasion. Get it, invasion... aka, new product launch? The Round Rock mothership reveals that the big unveil will occur at the Tokyo Game Show, presumably Thursday when the event officially begins. A launch so big that it will "shake the gaming world to its foundation," according to its Facebook page. Well, in that case anything less than a mutated lizard, gigantified by a diet of radiation and city buses will be a disappointment. It is Tokyo after all. Latest video tease after the break.

Continue reading Video: Alienware invades TGS: will 'shake the gaming world to its foundation'

Walkman outsells iPod in Japan for first time in four years... but iPhone sales don't count

by Ross Miller posted Sep 3rd 2009 at 2:02PM

As with most accomplishments these days, we can't help but place a rather large asterisk next to Sony's award for managing to outsell the iPod lineup with its Walkman. According to Tokyo-based research firm BCN Inc., for the week ending August 30th, the Walkman series had a 43 percent share of the personal music player market versus 42.1 percent for iPods, marking the first time in four years that Sony's managed to get the upper hand. Got that? Good, now for a major caveat. For whatever reason, iPhones aren't considered part of the iPod line, meaning people who want the luxuries of the iPod touch and a wireless data plan aren't included in the survey. That's quite an omission -- the iPhone 3GS is currently the best-selling phone in Japan, after all -- and we gotta imagine it'd be more than enough to tilt the data in Apple's favor, even if you threw in Sony Ericsson's Walkman phones for good measure. But hey, it's still a feat in its own right, and Sony might as well celebrate while it lasts -- something tells us the gang in Cupertino has something up their sleeve soon.

Better Place tests its EV battery switching stations on Tokyo cabbies

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Aug 27th 2009 at 12:15PM

Not long after establishing a prototype EV battery switching station in Japan, Better Place is now partnering with Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo's largest taxi operator, to put the thing through its paces, swapping out batteries for up to four electric hacks scheduled to run from the Roppongi Hills shopping and office complex beginning in January next year. In Tokyo, cabs account for only two percent of the traffic, yet they produce twenty-percent of its CO2 emissions -- a fact that further drives home the point that greening our public transportation is an important first step in cleaning up the environment. The study comes hot on the heels of other deals in the works for Israel, Europe, and the San Francisco. Albert Hockenberry would be impressed.

[Via PhysOrg]

Robot Doraemon travels back in time to shame Japanese children to success

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jul 20th 2009 at 11:21AM

If you're one of those nerds, you're probably quite stoked at the prospect of a real, honest-to-goodness Doraemon in your living room. And even if not, surely we can all agree that this guy is pretty damn cute, right? This ear-less, time travelin' cat features motion, light, heat, and sound sensors that let it react to its environment with a whole slew of facial features and vocal mannerisms that mean nothing to us, seeing as how it's communicating in Japanese. This guy is available from Bandai, starting September 3rd -- in the meantime, check out a few pics snapped at the Tokyo Toy Show below.

Gallery: Robot Doraemon travels back in time to shame Japanese children to success

[Via Tokyo Mango]

Video: Life-sized Gundam's back, looking deadlier than ever

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jul 9th 2009 at 5:29PM

Man, remember that wicked awesome 59 foot tall Gundam they erected in Tokyo? Well, those pictures we saw a month ago were cool, but they're nothing compared to the splendor of the thing lit-up like a futuristic, killer Christmas tree. So hit the read link for some more kick-ass pics of the thing, but not before you peep the video after the break.

Continue reading Video: Life-sized Gundam's back, looking deadlier than ever