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Intellivision’s Amico is the latest retro console revival
Intellivision, the video game maker that didn't survive the '80s, is back and ready to build something new on top of gaming nostalgia. After teasing the idea earlier this year, the company has announced plans for a new console called the Amico -- one part retro console and one part family-friendly modern gaming system. Intellivision plans to release it with a mix of classic titles and new originals in 2020.
A closer look at the Xbox One X
Here it is, in the flesh: the Xbox One X. Billed as the "world's most powerful console," and formerly known as "Project Scorpio," the new member of the Xbox family has finally made its debut at E3 2017. And while Microsoft is placing huge emphasis on things like 4K/HDR gaming and that custom eight-core AMD CPU, it's also worth noting how sleek and small the Xbox One X is. The launch model features a minimalist rectangle design with a matte black finish, complemented by a subtle touch of glittery accents throughout the console's shell -- but won't notice them from a distance.
'Big players' from US and China reportedly interested in OUYA
OUYA's remained relatively quiet over the past few months, aside from making content-focused announcements here and there -- such as OUYA Everywhere and the expansion of it. That said, the gaming startup, once a Kickstarter sensation, could be making a very big splash in the near future. Re/code is now reporting OUYA is in the middle of acquisition talks with "multiple big players" in the US and China, citing sources familiar with the matter. Chinese companies said to have had discussions with OUYA are Xiaomi and Tencent, among others; meanwhile, here Stateside, Amazon and Google reportedly took part in "some engagement" over a possible sale. Interestingly enough, though, Re/code notes that these outfits are primarily interested in the sale to acquire members of OUYA's staff, rather than the business stemming from its tiny game consoles. Only time will tell if anything ends up actually happening -- but as they say, where there's will, there's a way.
OUYA removes free-to-try requirement, lets devs choose whether to include demo content
OUYA will soon let developers choose whether or not to include free content. Since the platform's launch, customers have been able to try out any game before making a purchase, but some devs have been pushing back, requesting that OUYA allow them to make that call on their own. While free content certainly has its advantages, game makers have outlined several reasons why a free-to-try model may not be practical. Creating demo content costs money, of course, and in some cases, it's difficult to fit a selection of free gameplay within an existing storyline. It's not entirely clear when the policy change will take effect, so if you've been taking advantage of OUYA demo content, enjoy it while it lasts.
WSJ: Google working on an Android-powered game system, smart watch and new Nexus Q
According to the Wall Street Journal, Google might make another foray into living room hardware as it's currently developing an Android powered gaming console. Since that's just not enough of a rumor bomb, the talkative "people familiar with the matter" also claim a wristwatch and followup to its "postponed" Nexus Q project are on the way. If you believe the rumors, its reason for jumping into all these categories is to beat products Apple is reportedly developing in the same categories, with at least one of them launching this fall. Finally, the leaks indicate Google's next major Android update will be "tailored to low-cost devices in developing countries," and are ready to go in a much wider variety of devices. That could mean laptops or even appliances running the rumored Key Lime Pie flavor of Android, built by manufacturers like Samsung which is already working on a watch of its own. Also mentioned is HP, which the report goes on to claim is building laptops that run Android. Companies like Ouya, Mad Catz, Pebble and GEAK probably think Mountain View is already late to the party, but official OS-level support and heavily marketed hardware could take these segments to the next level.
BlueStacks to offer GamePop Android game console for $129, expands title lineup
BlueStacks is taking on OUYA in a big way, having announced its Android-powered GamePop game console a few weeks ago. The company wouldn't give specifics on how much the device would cost when it was first unveiled, although it offered an option to get the console for free through May -- provided you were willing to subscribe to the $7-per-month service for at least a full year, which gives you full access to a large number of paid and free mobile games. Today, BlueStacks announced that the free offer has been extended through June, after which time the console can be yours for $129. What's more, the service has inked partnerships with more gaming developers, adding at least another $50 worth of titles to its overall catalog. One such company is COM2US, which will feature its very own channel in GamePop's UI. Head to the source link to get your pre-order in.
Informal OUYA game count: 481 and growing
You can sometimes gauge a game console's short-term success based on its launch lineup; many of us know the pain of having to choose the least terrible game of a small bunch while we're waiting for a better selection. While we can't vouch for how the OUYA will fare for quality, Eddie at OUYA Forum has done the legwork to prove that there won't be any problems with the Android console's quantity. He's checked with both OUYA and developers to confirm that there are at least 481 games headed to the fledgling system, as of this writing. The clear majority of these are smaller indie titles that won't dampen Sony's enthusiasm for next week, but that's not necessarily a problem -- the abundance mostly hints that there could be a few gems for early adopters, even if there's a lot of fluff.
White PlayStation 3 bundle surfaces unannounced at Canadian retailers
In North America, the PlayStation 3 is the Model T of consoles: you can have any system color you want, as long as it's black. Sony might be dropping the circa-1908 approach in the near future, at least in Canada. Both Best Buy and its Canada-only sister chain, Future Shop, are listing a Crystal White Limited Edition Bundle that includes a 500GB hard drive, a year-long PlayStation Plus subscription and a trio of games for $300 Canadian ($305 US). It's a good deal compared to the existing lineup, but extra-special when white has been limited to a handful of other countries -- and when Sony hasn't mentioned any North American plans for the color. We've asked the company for comment, and we'll let you know the response. When both stores list a January 27th in-stock date, however, any answers will come quickly.
GameStick brings a new Android game console to your TV, fits inside its own controller (video)
OUYA likely won't be the only Android-based game console in town this spring. PlayJam is going beyond its smart TV roots to build the GameStick, a TV-based system that fits into a shell not much bigger than a typical flash drive -- it's small enough that the finished version should stow inside its own Bluetooth gamepad and draw power from the HDMI port, like Roku's Streaming Stick. The Jelly Bean system's dual-core Amlogic processor isn't as powerful as the Tegra 3 in the OUYA, but it should also lead to a slightly more tempting $79 price. PlayJam's remaining challenge is the familiar one of reaching a crowdfunding target: the company says it needs $100,000 to go through its last development hurdles and ship the production GameStick in April. If the firm makes its goal, however, the low-cost gaming world will be delightfully crowded this year.
Hailrazer stuffs a Nintendo 64 into a GameCube GameBoy Player (video)
Hailrazer is clearly a fan of the Nintendo 64 and GameCube, but his projects have kept the systems as separate beasts. Until now, that is. His latest mod puts a Nintendo 64 into a GameCube's GameBoy Player add-on, linking the audio, power and video to those of the more modern system. Gamers just have to plug in relevant controllers and flip a switch to play whichever console best triggers a nostalgia trip. About the only setback is the absence of space for a proper Nintendo 64 cartridge slot, which effectively mandates using a not-quite-above-board storage format instead. Given that the two-in-one console is strictly a personal labor of love, it's still quite the achievement -- and it guarantees that Hailrazer's inner circle won't have to travel far for a trip down memory lane. [Thanks, Jon]
Nintendo PSA: update the firmware for that gift Wii U
So you're the very definition of generosity and plan to put a Wii U under the tree for that special someone. Nintendo just provided a helpful tip to keep the kindness going beyond Christmas morning, if it's not too late: update that Wii U's firmware before you wrap the box. Unless the recipients are wired up with Google Fiber, they'll likely face a long wait as that 5GB patch arrives. The process will spoil the unboxing experience, to be sure -- but so does realizing that it's another two hours before anyone can use the eShop and Netflix. Trust us, they'll thank you for it later.
Next Wii U system update due late December, will improve software loading times (update: PR folks say 'no')
The Wii U launch didn't go quite as smoothly as consumers would've liked, with a major update to sit through right after unboxing, and support for various video streaming services absent on day one. Well, head honcho at Nintendo Satoru Iwata has taken to YouTube and announced from his cream studio that the next system update is due late December. It's primarily being pushed out to improve the frustratingly slow software loading times on the new console -- an issue we highlighted in our review. Iwata only makes a fleeting appearance at the beginning of the video before it moves on to talking up the latest Dragon Quest iteration, but if you've got a decent knowledge of Japanese, the embed awaits you below. Update: Nintendo's PR people have been in touch and we've had one of our bilingual editors take a look at the video. Unfortunately, something was lost in translation and our source was mistaken -- the update in question is for Dragon Quest X, not the Wii U system.
Gabe Newell hints at possible 'turnkey' Valve living room system, sees others following suit
Valve has been making a visibly deep push into the living room, but in bits and pieces -- controllers here, Big Picture interfaces there. Company chief Gabe Newell may have just hinted at a more holistic, though non-exclusive, approach in the works. Chatting on the sidelines of the Video Game Awards, he tells Kotaku that any Valve hardware would involve a "turnkey solution" with a "very controlled" environment, not unlike a console. While that's not necessarily the confirmation of the rumored Steam Box, Newell only stokes the speculation further through his eagerness to put Big Picture on Steam for Linux and get that much more control when building hardware. The game developer doesn't see his company monopolizing couch-based devices should it get involved, however -- he predicts more companies will be selling PCs in 2013 tailored for the TV in a way that would favor Steam. We won't consider either a Valve-made gaming box or its third-party equivalents to be imminent based solely on award show banter, but the remarks suggest that at least one of the PCs is more than just a dream.
Nintendo Wii Mini hands-on
Nintendo's Wii Mini has been a bit more elusive than we thought, but we've at last snagged the entry-level console ahead of its official release and given it a quick shakedown. While it does what it says on the tin -- welcome newcomers and second-system shoppers to the Wii universe -- we've found that there's a few important details to consider beyond just the absences of internet access and GameCube support. Read on past the break for our quick look. %Gallery-172801%
Nintendo Wii Mini expected to go on sale as soon as today at Walmart Canada
While we can't say that extra-dedicated gamers are tripping over themselves to buy the offline-only Wii Mini, we've got good news for those who weren't looking forward to waiting until December 7th to buy a second system for the kids or parties. Walmart Canada tells us Nintendo's $100 console is cleared to go on sale as of Friday, a week ahead of schedule; our local stores haven't yet received stock, but it's early enough that we're not raising alarm bells. We've asked Nintendo about other retailers and will let you know if additional retail chains get the green (or rather, black and red) light.
Nintendo makes Wii Mini official: currently exclusive to Canada, launches December 7th for $100
That was quick. Scarcely two hours after Best Buy spoiled the party, Nintendo is launching the Wii Mini. The crimson console is billed as a Canada-exclusive for now -- we're reaching out to confirm if and when it might go elsewhere -- and is clearly meant to catch those families that find the Wii U (or even a regular Wii) too pricey. To get there, though, they'll have to make some big sacrifices. The Wii Mini cuts out both GameCube compatibility (seen in some regular Wii variants) and, more importantly, internet access; unfortunately, this won't be your budget Netflix box. Still, when gamers in the Great White North can pick one up on December 7th for $100, it might be the ideal fit for that TV in the basement or the occasional party.
Sony quietly gets PlayStation 3 certification in China, we hope for a few more Dynasty Warriors players
Ever since 2000, game consoles have effectively (if not very assertively) been banned in China. There's already been signs of a warming attitude with official plans for the Nintendo 3DS XL coming this December, but Sony may have slipped out hints of a fuller thaw without anyone noticing until now. A Sina Weibo user just discovered that the 160GB and 320GB versions of the previous-generation PlayStation 3, the CECH-3012, passed through China Compulsory Certificate approval in July -- an odd move when the console couldn't actually go on sale in an official capacity in current conditions. Certification is still far from a guarantee that Sony will actually sell the PS3 in the country, most of all when it's a slightly outdated model of a console line that's edging ever nearer to a replacement. The government certainly hasn't commented on what the regulatory clearance means. If it ultimately leads to more gamers in Chengdu or Shanghai, however, we're all for it.
OUYA upgrades to Jelly Bean, gives early hardware details to game developers
If you were one of the many who funded OUYA and have been sitting on pins and needles waiting for tangible progress updates, you just received them in spades. The fledgling console builder is on track with its Engineering Verification Test phase (you're looking at a board sample here) and should not only deliver the initial developer kits in December, but include a pleasant surprise in the process -- the Android-based platform will be built around Jelly Bean rather than the originally promised Ice Cream Sandwich. Programmers who just have to start right away have likewise been given a head start on hardware expectations. They'll have free rein over as much as a 1080p screen for their free-to-play games, although they'll have to toss aside familiar Android tropes like back and menu keys, notifications and fallbacks for hardware keyboards. The distinctive trackpad is likewise just a single-touch affair. To us, though, knowing that the console is finally taking shape just might be enough to tide us over until the March launch.
Satoru Iwata talks Wii U design, guts a console for context
Nintendo's top dog Satoru Iwata recently sat down with some of his R&D crew to talk about designing the Wii U, and unfortunately, a console was sacrificed in the process. The discussion focuses on what changes they've made this time 'round, including the new multi-core CPU and GPU module, and how they fitted more cooling gear in a body smaller than the Wii as a result. In addition to some nice teardown pics for illustrative purposes, they muse on moving to HD, part testing, case design and how the GamePad is more of a companion than a controller. We don't want to spoil the whole bit, so head to the source link for the full transcript, or check out the gallery below if you just want the visuals.
Nielsen says game consoles get men to use TV more: hurray, we think
We're not sure if we should always cheer figures that reflect sedentary behavior. Still, chalk one up for greater (if superficial) gender equality. Nielsen finds that, as of this past March, men who owned a modern game console like the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or Wii were using their TVs almost as much as women: while males in the broader population typically spend 37 fewer minutes in front of the big screen every day than females, that gap shrank to a negligible 11 minutes when console use came into play. Unfortunately, the agency doesn't say just what's getting men to tune in for that much longer. Gaming is the most likely culprit, but a raft of streaming video options could have some of those refined couch potatoes watching Hulu or Netflix instead of playing one more round of Gears of War. If consoles have people of all genders spending more time together, we're in favor of it; given that men still spend over twice as much time on consoles as women, though, it's clear there's still a bridge to cross if we want more of a balance in the kinds of TV activity we enjoy.
