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'New Pack' named: Wii Play 'N Learn
The new Wii hardware bundle discovered last week looks like it's going to be something a little more significant than just the same Wii with included controller jackets, or a second controller. The UPC information has been updated with a new name for the unit: "Wii Play 'N Learn." Which certainly makes it sound like a toy for preschoolers. Or maybe it's Wii-themed playground equipment! It certainly doesn't sound like Nintendo is marketing this new bundle at the older audience they usually go for. Could this mean that Nintendo is switching gears to a more kid-friendly marketing scheme? Ill-advised branding aside, the obvious guess for what's in the bundle would be Wii Play and maybe Big Brain Academy. Really, any bundle that includes Wii Play('s extra controller) will be very welcome during the holiday season. Of course, we have no idea what'll be in the Play 'N Learn box, or even if that will turn out to be a real product.[Via Game|Life]
New Wii UPC linked to Play N' Learn product [update]
Update: Feeding the UPC provided by Codename Revolution into the 'UPC Database' yields a listing for "Wii Play N' Learn." More edutainment?[Original Headline: "Rumor: New Wii on the horizon, SKU creates questions"]Codename Revolution reports that a distributor contact says a "second Wii console" called "New Pack" is on the way. The UPC linked to this item apparently belongs to Nintendo, but no further information is available. Considering both Microsoft and Sony have had big console news in the last few months, it would seem only fair for Nintendo to get in on the action. But really, Nintendo just needs to get Wii on shelves to sell them. Why incentivize a system that retailers can't keep in stock anyway? If the new SKU pans out, it'll be interesting to see what it actually is.
Rumor: New Wii SKU to hit this holiday
According to an anonymous supplier, Codename Revolution has the scoop on a supposed new SKU coming to retail for the holiday season. Currently dubbed "New Pack," no word yet on exactly what this new SKU could mean. All we know now is that it has a UPC of "045496880088,″ which comes back as being owned by Nintendo. Whether this is a new bundle (we're betting it's a bundled Super Mario Galaxy or Smash Bros. Brawl bundle, or perhaps one including the Wii Zapper), has yet to be determined. Don't hold your breath for a new Wii unit itself, as it's unlikely Nintendo will do a hardware revision to the console this early in its lifespan. Especially considering the popularity of the console as it is now.
Will Xbox 360 Core become Xbox 360 Arcade on August 24th?
It appears the Xbox 360 rumor mill is hard-partying once again, this time over the fairly sketchy information that in addition to the European price cut we mentioned earlier, the game system may be receiving a "changing of the guard" on the SKU front, with the dismissal of the Core system, and the inclusion of a new "Arcade" package. Word on Box Street is that Microsoft is about to upend the low-impact Core units, add an HDMI port, throw five free XBLA games in the mix, slap on a wireless controller, and put a new line of text somewhere on the box. Otherwise the system will remain the same -- AKA no hard drive, white finish, and a target of constant ridicule by your friends, and will be made available for €279 (or about $376). The whole thing makes you wonder if this could have something to do with that discontinued SKU rumor we keep hearing about in the US. Can't wait to find out? Join the club.[Via Joystiq]
Red lighting on 80GB PS3 box not a sign of rumble [update]
One single red light has spurred rumors that the newly-announced 80GB PlayStation 3 has a shaking Sixaxis controller (or "shake-axis," if you will) packed into the SKU. Another clue comes from an Engadget reader who says that the Contents section of the box has "more text describing the SIXAXIS item than can be found on the 60GB box."To us, the Home button light looks just like a reflection of the background. Or maybe it's just a cosmetic difference so you can say, "hey guys, I bought an 80GB PS3 and here's my red light Sixaxis to prove it!" We've contacted Sony for more information. From Dave Karraker, Sr. Director, Corporate Communications: "It is just a lighting trick. Nothing different or new about it."Update: According to Patrick Seybold on the official PlayStation.Blog, "Just want to clarify for those wondering why the PS Button on the controller is red. That is what happens when you charge the ... 'debug' controller. It is not a sign or indication of a new/different controller with the 80GB model."[Via Engadget, PS3 Fanboy; thanks, BulletToothTony]
Gamestop ups Xbox 360 trade-in value just in time for Elite
The precocious lads at Xbox 360 Fanboy have confirmed with multiple Gamestop managers that the trade-in value for both SKUs of Microsoft's console has increased. You will now receive $250 for Premium, $200 for Core (about 67% its original value) and $50 for the original Xbox.Obviously, the financial upgrade coincides with the impending US release of the $479.99 Elite model on April 29. Trading in an Xbox 360 Premium and picking up an Elite will leave you with a net cost of $230. Being that the 120GB HDD costs $180 separately, you're paying an additional $50 for the black paint job, HDMI output, and HDMI cable. But will we get a chance to transfer our save files in-store? Doubtful. (You can still play full titles, if you re-download them, via your Gamertag without having to pay again.)The Gamestop managers said that the money does not have to go toward the Elite. So whether you plan on upgrading or looking to bid farewell to the console altogether, now is likely the best time to go the Gamestop route.
The 20GB PS3 is still alive ... in Japan
Reports of the 20 GB PlayStation 3 SKU's demise are only partially true -- because, as you know, mostly dead is still slightly alive. There is still one very important country where gamers can choose their PS3 stylings: Japan.Speaking to Famitsu, a Sony Computer Entertainment representative said, "We're currently not considering changes akin to North America. However we would like to react flexibly with the market." IGN also sought out some anecdotal evidence by checking a few Tokyo game shops, finding that both the 20 GB and 60 GB were in stock. Interestingly enough, the 60 GB used model is the same price as the 20 GB new model at 49,800 yen.Interestingly, Sony UK has given a similar company line, telling CVG, "We'll continue to monitor demand for the 20GB model ... which will be factored into any future Euro launch plans." Of course, the 20GB model has never been in Europe anyways, so the chances of them bringing the second SKU in down the road are slim to none.[Update: Fixed image.]
Sony files for 80GB PS3, says there are no current plans
Seems like the totally secret announcement of the Xbox 360 Elite -- and it's strapping 120GB hard drive -- may have spurred Sony to consider bumping the PlayStation 3's already user-replaceable 60GB hard drive to ... an 80GB hard drive! An FCC filing dated March 2, 2007 announces the addition of a new model, CECHE01, which includes some tweaks to the Bluetooth antenna and, notably, a larger hard drive. Unlike Microsoft's latest SKU, the CECHE01 will replace the anemic 60GB CECHA01. Or maybe it won't.According to Sony, "The 80GB we're not making a comment on, but we don't have any plans at the moment." While it's true that the interior workings of giant megacorporations confuse and bewilder us, we're still left pondering how they managed to file a "Permissive Change Letter" with the FCC with no "plans at the moment." With the 20GB PS3 model being a no-show in Europe, and increasingly so here as well, maybe Sony just wants to stick those missing gigabytes back into the marketplace. Or something. [Thanks, Cosmo & Dolla Dolla]Read - FCC "Permissive Change Letter" for 80GB PS3 (via PC World)Read - No current plans for 80GB PS3 (Eurogamer)
SKUpidity: When did SKU become gamer parlance?
Insert Credit makes an excellent point today about gamers' widespread adoption of the inventory management term "SKU," seemingly overnight. Why are gamers suddenly talking like PR droids? Probably because it makes us sound more like the robots we've always wanted to be, free from such pesky human concerns as emotions, girls, and bathing. Or, as usual, this may all be Microsoft's fault; adding a third SKU console bundle to their lineup seems to have reinvigorated our use of the term. Hey, let's all go one better and refer to games by their UPC bar codes instead of their titles! Anybody played 096427014874 yet?
It stops: GC Zelda DOESN'T go poof [update 1]
Nintendo of America's offical reply to all this nonsense: Online reports about the Nintendo GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess are incorrect. The amazing game will be available at retail outlets nationwide on Dec. 13.Apparently, Gamestop and EB Games used a separate SKU for preordering. Since preorders had been maxed out, the SKU was removed. However, this confirmation is news in itself: it looks like America won't be receiving the EB Games-only Aussie treatment or online-only Japan treatment. Sweet! We'll try to refrain to excessive commentary in this post ... similar topics have been covered in regards to Japan and Australia ... but now North American major retail chains EB Games and Gamestop have reported that the Gamecube version of Twilight Princess has been mysteriously deleted from their computers. The SKU is simply gone. Though we might refrain from calling this an outright cancellation, the only other conceivable option is for the game to sell exclusively through Nintendo's online store, as they've decided to do in Japan.(sigh) Comment as you will, but try to keep it civil. What the eff, Nintendo. [via Joystiq]
$40 XBL Vision camera & UNO bundle detailed by MS source along with prices & dates for other 360 accessories
Our friendly anonymous source at Microsoft has provided us with a few more details concerning the 360 accessories announced back at E3.Perhaps the most important involves the bundling of the Xbox Live Vision camera with a wired headset, the popular Live Arcade title UNO, and a month of Live Gold service for $39.99 when it releases in the States on September 19, 2006.Granted, this is still an unofficial report (based on a leak of "official" info), so understand that you're probably not gonna get much confirmation from MS until they're good and ready to give it. If you'd like information on what other peripherals are coming out "Holiday 2006" (so sometime in the 4th quarter) and at what price, read on for more.
Rumor: 360 wireless gaming receiver $20; wheel $130; headset $60; camera $40; Halo and Forza faceplates $20 [update 1]
Thanks to a reliable source from Microsoft, we've learned some important details about the new peripherals announced for the Xbox 360, including pricing and a few Halo faceplate (non)specifics. Check out the leaked info and prices below: 360 wireless gaming receiver (which enables wireless 360 controllers, headsets, and wheels on your PC): $20 Wireless racing wheel: $130 Wireless headset: $60 Xbox Live Vision Camera (with headset, one month of Live Gold, and one arcade -- presumably Xbox Live Arcade -- game): $40 New faceplates for Halo (with the Master Chief on 'em, but not Halo 3 specific) and Forza (no word on connections to the sequel): $20 each 256 MB portable memory unit (MU): no official price yet, but definitely not four times the cost of the older 64MB MU Besides acknowledging that the PC is "the biggest gaming device of all," MS appears to be setting an agressive price for its most relevant new PC accessory, the wireless gaming receiver (at least in comparison to the outrageously priced 360 wireless networking adapter). Unfortunately, no price was revealed as of yet for the USB-based HD-DVD add-on.We've speculated in our recent podcasts as to what would happen to the various 360 SKUs when price drops inevitably occur. An interesting theory bandied about by prolific Joystiq Contributor epobirs (on our earlier bump-to-256MB-MU post) was that a $20 price drop for the Core system, coupled with a $20 price drop on the 64MB MU, would finally allow folks to pick up a capable non-Premium bundle for the original $300 Core price point. (Not a bad way to undercut PS2 memory card prices, too.) We hope to get official confirmation on this info in the not-too-distant future.[Update: Sorry, had the camera price wrong in the headline; it now matches the price of the bundle listed in the body of the text below.]See also: 360's Mem Unit getting a bump to 256MB? (Comment from epobirs) Use 360 wireless peripherals with a PC Engadget & Joystiq's live coverage of Microsoft's Xbox 360 E3 event Joystiq / Engadget podcasts from Day One and Day Two of E3 2006
Cheaper PS3 loses HDMI, slots, Wi-Fi, 40GB
As you can see above, there are a few things different between the two PS3 SKUs planned. (Hint: the obvious alterations concern high-def output and wireless connectivity -- though Bluetooth controllers should work just fine with both, with or without any chrome case highlighting.)So what's HDMI, built-in multimedia card-reader slots, wireless internet connectivity, and an extra 40 gigabytes' hard disk space worth to you? $100? Now that Sony's gone with the 2-SKU approach with its next-gen hardware (a la the Xbox 360's premium and "Core" systems), we can expect some tough consumer choices after six months -- with console shortages possibly for another six months after that -- as $100 separates the base $499 and premium $599 versions of Sony's "Clear Black" hope.HDMI is important to those who want to take full advantage of Blu-ray high def and have the new screens to use it; MemoryStick, SD, and CompactFlash slots would be nice for the PS3 memory-card users and those will run multimedia on the system; Wi-Fi's the only way to avoid stringing ethernet cables for online access; and 360 owners might appreciate the full 60GB available to potential buyers of the premium PS3 model. Neither model comes with a second HDMI port; thankfully, one should hopefully be all most users need. The details are laid out in a feature-comparison table at the end of Sony's official PS3 hardware press release, available in both Adobe Reader and Microsoft Word formats. Determine what's most important to your PS3 ambitions there.[Image pieced together from the PlayStation.com forums; thanks, Guru]
